Public health officials are saying that two Toronto residents, who were poisoned after they consumed tainted carrot juice, did indeed properly refrigerate the product.

The maker of the recalled juice, California-based Bolthouse Farms, said earlier this week that consumers in the U.S. were sickened after they had failed to keep the product refrigerated.

However, tests in Canada have shown that the juice consumed by the Toronto residents was handled and stored properly. The two patients, who live in the same household, are in intensive care. Both are paralyzed and on ventilators.

Meanwhile, public health officials are continuing to monitor the recall of the product and plan to inspect shelves at another 1,250 stores over the coming days. Public Health inspectors have already surveyed 2,700 stores. After discovering bottles of the recalled juice still on the shelves in 11 of those, they removed them.

The CFIA issued a voluntary recall of the product on Sept. 30 after four cases of botulism in the U.S. were linked to the toxic carrot juice. The federal regulator followed up with a second alert on Oct. 7 to ensure public awareness.

All containers with a "best before" date of up to Nov. 11 are involved in the recall.

Three brands have been linked to the botulism outbreak:

• Bolthouse Farms 100 per cent Carrot Juice
• Earthbound Farm Organic Carrot Juice
• President's Choice Organics 100 per cent Pure Carrot Juice

A Florida woman has been in hospital and unresponsive since mid-September. Three people in Georgia suffered respiratory failure and are on ventilators since drinking carrot juice a month ago.

Botulism can lead to serious illness or death, and must be treated early. Symptoms can include blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and paralysis. In severe cases, the paralysis can restrict breathing, forcing patients on to ventilators.