Press Release 09/29/2006
Contact: Public Affairs (404) 656-3689
Georgia Agriculture and Health Officials Warn Consumers About Carrot Juice Connected to Botulism Cases
The Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Division of Public Health are warning consumers to avoid a brand of carrot juice following an investigation that linked the product to three cases of botulism in Georgia. An additional case of botulism caused by this product but from a different lot number was identified by health officials in Florida this week.
“We recommend that Georgia residents not purchase or consume Bolthouse Farms carrot juice until the manufacturer can ensure the safety of the product,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin.
The carrot juice is manufactured by Bolthouse Farms, Inc., Bakersfield, California, and distributed throughout the U.S. The Georgia and Florida cases drank carrot juice from different lots. The Food and Drug Administration is working with the company to determine possible actions.
The carrot juice is flash pasteurized which is not adequate to kill botulinum spores, and toxin may be produced if the product is not adequately refrigerated.
"In the past three weeks, health officials in both Georgia and Florida have identified four cases of botulism associated with this product," stated Dr. Susan Lance, the state epidemiologist for the Georgia Division of Public Health. "Without proper refrigeration of this product, present botulinum spores may produce the toxin. Botulism is a severe illness that can cause death if a person ingests this toxin in a contaminated food."
Foodborne botulism is caused by ingesting a toxin found in food and often involves improperly processed canned foods, foods that are allowed to spoil, or are not refrigerated properly. Following improper processing or handling, the bacteria found in contaminated food produces a toxin that causes symptoms such as blurred vision, general weakness, difficulty swallowing and speaking, difficulty breathing, and can result in death. Symptoms of botulism usually appear 12 to 36 hours after ingestion, but may take several days. Botulism cannot be spread from person to person.
Additional information on botulism can be found at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm
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