Botulism linked to Bolthouse carrot juice

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers not to drink Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice, 450-ml and one-liter plastic bottles, with “Best If Used By” dates of Nov 11, 2006 or earlier. Consumers should discard this product. FDA is again advising that carrot juice — including pasteurized carrot juice — be kept refrigerated.

A fourth case of botulism has been linked to Bakersfield CA-based Bolthouse Farms brand carrot juice. This case involves an adult female in Florida who has become paralyzed. So far, one link between the illness and the consumers appears to be that the juice they drank was not refrigerated properly when taken home. FDA is investigating other possible links.

Though cases of botulism from processed food are very rare in the United States, the disease can cause paralysis or death. Symptoms can include double vision, droopy eyelids, altered voice, trouble with speaking or swallowing, and paralysis on both sides of the body that progresses from the neck down.