Possible Botulism Connection Spurs Precautionary Carrot Juice Recall

By Amy Teeple

Published on October 09, 2006

Bolthouse Farms has issued a recall of its products with the names “Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice," “Earthbound Farm Organic Carrot Juice," and “President’s Choice Organics 100% Pure Carrot Juice." Distributed in all 50 states, Mexico, and Canada, the recalled juice includes both 1 liter and 450 milliliter bottles with a “best used by" date of November 11, 2006, or earlier.

Last month, three people in Georgia were hospitalized for respiratory failure after sharing a bottle of Bolthouse Farms juice. A woman in Florida was also hospitalized when she became paralyzed after consuming a bottle of the juice. It is believed that a botulism toxin in the bottles caused the illnesses.

An FDA inspection of the Bolthouse Farms plant and of samples of the recalled product lots found no evidence of toxins.

Because of the low acidity of carrot juice, the product must be kept properly refrigerated to avoid contamination. It is believed that the victims did not properly store the carrot juice, allowing the botulism toxins to develop.

Bolthouse Farms issued the recall as a precautionary action. It plans to reevaluate its processing and labeling of the carrot juice. For more information, consumers can visit the company’s website at www.bolthouse.com.