Health officials across Canada are advising consumers to check their fridges and grocery store owners to check their shelves to ensure they do not have certain brands of carrot juice that may be carrying a potential botulism toxin.

Two Toronto residents remain paralyzed after contracting botulism from drinking tainted carrot juice. Four people in the United States are on ventilators.

An inspection of 506 Toronto grocery stores conducted by Toronto Public Health found that as of Sunday night, 10 stores in the city still had the juice on their shelves — despite a recall issued on Sept. 30. They issued a second alert on Oct. 7 to ensure public awareness.

Toronto Public Health officials said Tuesday that there are no more inspections planned for today, while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the federal regulator, said they will continue to perform checks and verifications.

Officials also said that the small ratio, 10 stores out of nearly 500, is not cause for great concern.

All containers with a "best before" date of up to Nov. 11 were ordered off shelves by the CFIA after four cases of botulism in the U.S. were found to be related to the toxic carrot juice.

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.

The manufacturer, Wm. Bolthouse Farms Inc., of Bakersfield, Calif., has voluntarily recalled the affected brands. Canadian importers have also voluntarily recalled these brands of carrot juice, which have been distributed across Canada.

"If you have these products at home, throw them out immediately. If you are a retailer, these products should be removed from shelves and should not be sold," Dr. Barbara Yaffe, associate medical health officer, said in a news release before the weekend.

"If you have consumed any of these types of carrot juice and are feeling ill, see your doctor immediately."

Surveillance alert issued

Toronto Public Health has sent a surveillance alert to Toronto hospitals notifying them of the cases, and asking them to report any cases of potential botulism.

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. There's no indication yet whether the Toronto patients are on ventilators.

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.