Dump It Down The Sink

Toronto Public Health suspects Botulism as two people have become seriously ill after they consumed carrot juice imported from the United States.

The agency has issued a public warning advising everyone to avoid drinking three brands of carrot juice, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a product recall.

Bolthouse Farms of California have been linked to four cases of botulism in the United States and produced the carrot juice the two people in Toronto drank.

One Florida woman is in hospital unresponsive, and three people in Georgia have suffered respiratory failure and are on ventilators since drinking the carrot juice.

Bolthouse officials say the cases may have resulted from improper refrigeration. Carrot juice is low in acids so bacteria can grow unless it's kept below 7 C.

The recalled products, are sold in both one litre and 450-millilitre containers, are:

- Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice.

- Earthbound Farm Organic Carrot Juice.

- President’s Choice Organics 100% Pure Carrot Juice.

Products with a “best by” date up to Nov. 11 have been recalled and consumers are advised if they have the product to "take it out of the fridge, dump it down the sink."

While rare, Botulism can be fatal and needs to be treated fast. Symptoms include blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and paralysis, reports the Toronto Public Health.

Stores have been pulling carrot juice off the shelves, but consumers are worried, as this is the third episode of unsafe food products in as many weeks. Previous to the carrot juice officials recalled American spinach and lettuce tainted with e. Coli.