Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Haifa Smoked Fish Cold Smoked Sprat Fish recall: Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum

Recall published yesterday

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum

Haifa Smoked Fish Seafood — recalled seafood
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Botulism risk

Botulinum toxin is what this recall guards against. It gives no warning in taste or smell, and a swollen or leaking container is a sign but not a reliable one.

What the notice says: HAIFA SMOKED FISH of QUEENS NY is recalling approximately 560 lbs. of Cold Smoked Sprats, due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness.

Why it matters: This product may not have been processed in a way that reliably destroys Clostridium botulinum spores. The toxin they can produce in a sealed container is one of the most dangerous substances in food safety, and it is tasteless and odourless.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Botulism is a medical emergency. The CDC lists double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the face and moves down the body. In an infant, watch for poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids and unusual floppiness. Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if any of these appear after eating a recalled product — treatment works best when it is given early.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
October 27, 2026
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Haifa Smoked Fish
Product type
Seafood
Units affected
560 lbs.
Distribution
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
Reports of harm
"No illnesses have been reported to date."

Products covered by this recall

Cold Smoked Sprat Fish

What the company announced

HAIFA SMOKED FISH of QUEENS NY is recalling approximately 560 lbs. of Cold Smoked Sprats, due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism , a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Cold Smoked Sprats was distributed in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania through retail stores.

The product packed loose in bulk cardboard boxes labeled Cold Smoked Sprats and shipped refrigerated.

All Lots are included in the recall

"No illnesses have been reported to date."

FDA initiated an inspection at D&M Smoked Fish Inc., of Jamaica, NY, and the inspection revealed that the firm was producing cold-smoked sprats without required food safety controls to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation.

Consumers who have purchased Cold Smoked Sprats are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-523-8899, between 9am and 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 560 lbs

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Botulism

Haifa Smoked Fish — Botulinum toxin is what this recall guards against. It gives no warning in taste or smell, and a swollen or leaking container is a sign but not a reliable one.

  1. Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.
  2. Do not open the container. If it is already open, do not sniff it — double-bag it and keep it away from children and pets.
  3. Throw it away so nobody else can retrieve it, or follow the disposal wording in the official notice if it specifies a method.
  4. Wash anything the contents spilled on with a bleach solution and wear gloves while you do it.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased Cold Smoked Sprats are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: D&M Smoked Fish Inc. dba Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. — Consumers: 718-523-8899

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Haifa Smoked Fish seafood recalled?

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum HAIFA SMOKED FISH of QUEENS NY is recalling approximately 560 lbs. of Cold Smoked Sprats, due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum , a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Company recall announcements record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased Cold Smoked Sprats are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania.

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