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Haifa Smoked Fish is recalling approximately 560 pounds of cold-smoked sprats distributed to retailers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania because of possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. All lots are included, and the company says no illnesses have been reported. Consumers are advised not to eat the product 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, a bacterium that can cause potentially life-threatening botulism. The company says all lots are covered and that the fish was distributed to retail stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; no illnesses had been reported as of the announcement.
The recall concerns Cold Smoked Sprat Fish sold without a brand name. According to the company announcement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on October 27, the product was packed loose in bulk cardboard boxes labeled “Cold Smoked Sprats” and shipped refrigerated. The announcement identifies all lots as affected, rather than listing specific lot codes or package dates.
Consumers are advised not to eat the fish, even if it looks and smells normal, as in this cold-smoked fish botulism warning. The company says customers who bought the product should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers can call Haifa Smoked Fish at 718-523-8899 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time with questions.
The FDA announcement says an agency inspection at D&M Smoked Fish Inc., doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish, found the firm was producing cold-smoked sprats without required food-safety controls intended to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation. The company’s notice identifies Haifa Smoked Fish in Queens, New York; the FDA’s inspection description names the firm in Jamaica, New York.
Why the Sprat Recall Matters
The recall matters because botulism can be life-threatening, and contaminated food may not show visible or smell-related signs of spoilage. The company specifically warns consumers not to rely on appearance or odor when deciding whether the sprats are safe. Avoiding the product and returning it is the advised way to reduce the risk of exposure.
The FDA-posted announcement describes a food-safety control concern, not a confirmed illness outbreak. It says the inspection found required controls were absent, while the company reports no illnesses to date. Those statements describe the status at the time of the notice and do not establish whether any consumer was exposed or whether any illness might be reported later.
The distribution area is limited in the announcement to retail stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Because the sprats were sold loose in bulk boxes, shoppers may not have the usual retail packaging or a printed lot number to check. The notice’s instruction that all lots are included means purchasers should use the product description and source of purchase, rather than waiting to identify a particular lot.
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Inspection and Recall Details
The FDA’s recall page labels this as a company announcement posted for public service and says the agency does not endorse the product or company. The company, D&M Smoked Fish Inc., operates as Haifa Smoked Fish. Its announcement gives the recall reason as potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
According to the notice, the FDA inspection found the firm was producing cold-smoked sprats without food-safety controls required to prevent bacterial growth and toxin formation. The source does not provide further details about the inspection findings, the specific production dates involved, or how the possible contamination was detected. It says the product was shipped refrigerated, but refrigeration and normal appearance are not presented as reasons to disregard the recall.
The company’s notice describes the recalled quantity as approximately 560 pounds and names three states where the product reached retail stores. It does not name individual stores or provide a list of purchase dates. The recall applies to the product as described across all lots.
“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 the Notice Does Not Specify
The announcement does not identify specific lot codes, production dates, store names, or quantities sold at each retailer. It also does not explain whether the possible contamination was confirmed through testing or describe any particular product samples. Although the FDA describes an inspection finding involving missing controls, the notice does not give a detailed account of the inspection or say whether additional regulatory steps have been taken.
The notice reports that no illnesses had been reported at the time it was published on October 27, 2026. It is not clear from the source whether later illness reports or further findings have emerged. The announcement also does not say how many packages remain in consumers’ possession or how retailers are handling returned product.
Consumer Returns and Agency Follow-Up
People who purchased the described cold-smoked sprats should not consume them and should return them to the retailer for a full refund, according to the company. Consumers can contact Haifa Smoked Fish at 718-523-8899 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. The notice does not provide a separate disposal instruction; consumers should contact the company or retailer if they cannot return the product.
The FDA says it initiated an inspection at D&M Smoked Fish Inc. The recall notice does not specify a timetable for further agency action or report a resolution of the inspection findings. Readers should check for updated FDA notices or company information for any later changes to the recall, distribution details or health status.
Key Questions
Which product is being recalled?
The recall covers Cold Smoked Sprat Fish, sold without a brand name and packed loose in bulk cardboard boxes labeled “Cold Smoked Sprats.” The company says all lots are included.
Where was the recalled fish distributed?
The company says the product was distributed through retail stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The notice does not list individual retailers.
What should consumers do with the sprats?
Do not eat the product, even if it looks or smells normal. The company advises returning it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Have any illnesses been reported?
The company stated in its recall announcement that no illnesses had been reported to date. The notice does not establish whether any later reports have been made.
How can consumers contact the company?
Consumers can call Haifa Smoked Fish at 718-523-8899 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, according to the recall notice.
Source: fda.gov
