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Haifa Smoked Fish is recalling about 560 pounds of cold smoked sprats distributed in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania because of potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum. The FDA says all lots are included and no illnesses had been reported as of the company announcement. Consumers are advised not to eat the fish and to return it for a refund.
Haifa Smoked Fish is recalling about 560 pounds of cold smoked sprats because the product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that can cause botulism. The FDA said the fish was distributed to retail stores in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania; all lots are covered, and no illnesses had been reported as of the company’s announcement.
The company, identified by the FDA as D&M Smoked Fish Inc., doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish Inc., said the recalled product was sold without a brand name as “Cold Smoked Sprats.” It was packed loose in bulk cardboard boxes and shipped refrigerated. The announcement does not provide lot codes or a specific date range for distribution; it says all lots are included.
The FDA’s recall notice says an inspection at the company’s Jamaica, New York, facility found it was producing cold-smoked sprats without required food safety controls to prevent C. botulinum growth and toxin formation. The notice identifies this as the reason for the recall. It does not say that testing confirmed toxin in a particular package or that anyone became ill.
Consumers who bought the sprats are urged to not eat or use the product, even if it appears and smells normal. The company says customers can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions can be directed to Haifa Smoked Fish at 718-523-8899, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
Why the Sprats Pose a Safety Concern
Botulism is a potentially life-threatening form of food poisoning, and the recall concerns a hazard that may not be detectable by looking at or smelling the fish. That is why the company’s warning advises consumers not to rely on signs of spoilage when deciding whether to eat it. People who may have the product should follow the recall instructions rather than taste or serve it.
The FDA notice lists possible symptoms including weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. It also mentions breathing difficulty, weakness in other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. The company advises people experiencing these problems to seek immediate medical attention. The recall matters particularly to shoppers who purchased loose fish from retail stores in the three named states, since the product was not described as carrying a consumer-facing brand label.
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FDA Inspection and Recall Details
The FDA published the company’s announcement on October 27, 2026, as a public service. The agency’s notice explains that company recall announcements are posted by FDA but that this does not mean the agency endorses the product or company. The recall entry lists the product type as food and beverages and describes the reason as potential contamination with C. botulinum.
According to the announcement, the agency initiated an inspection at D&M Smoked Fish Inc. in Jamaica, New York. The reported finding concerned missing production controls intended to prevent bacterial growth and toxin formation. The company’s recall covers all lots of the cold smoked sprats, rather than identifying only a particular lot or package date. The source does not provide a separate announcement date for when the product first reached stores.
“Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.”
— Haifa Smoked Fish, in the company announcement posted by the FDA
What Is Not Yet Reported
The notice does not state that C. botulinum or its toxin was detected in a specific package. It describes a potential contamination risk linked to the lack of required controls. No illnesses had been reported when the company announcement was issued, but that status could change as information is updated.
The public notice also does not give individual package sizes, lot codes, distribution dates, retailer names or a count of stores supplied. Although it says the product was shipped refrigerated and that all lots are recalled, shoppers may need to contact the store or the company to identify whether a loose purchase matches the recalled product.
Returning the Recalled Fish
Consumers who have Cold Smoked Sprats should not eat them and should return the product to the retailer for a full refund, according to the company. Anyone unsure whether a purchase is covered can contact Haifa Smoked Fish at 718-523-8899, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time.
The FDA notice does not give a timeline for the company’s recall process or report further agency actions. Consumers should check the FDA recall page or contact the company for updated information, particularly if they have questions about a loose or unlabeled purchase. Anyone experiencing symptoms listed in the warning should seek immediate medical attention.
Key Questions
Which product is being recalled?
The recall covers Cold Smoked Sprats sold without a brand name, packed loose in bulk cardboard boxes and shipped refrigerated. The company says all lots are included.
Where was the recalled fish distributed?
The company says the sprats were distributed to retail stores in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
What should I do if I bought the sprats?
Do not eat or use the fish, even if it looks and smells normal. Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or call Haifa Smoked Fish at 718-523-8899 during the stated business hours.
Have any illnesses been reported?
The company announcement said no illnesses had been reported to date when it was issued. The recall was prompted by a potential contamination risk and an FDA inspection finding, not by a reported illness in the notice.
What symptoms does the warning list?
The announcement lists weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, breathing difficulty, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation. It advises anyone experiencing these problems to seek immediate medical attention.
Source: fda.gov
