TL;DR
Get kitchen staples and gadgets delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
The FDA issued a public warning about cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. after an inspection found required controls to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation were not in place. The agency says D&M Smoked Fish Inc., doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish, declined its recommendation to recall the product, and advises consumers not to eat it.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to eat cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish Inc., after an inspection found the production process lacked required controls against the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that can cause botulism. The FDA said D&M Smoked Fish Inc., doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish, declined the agency’s recommendation to recall the product, prompting the public alert.
The FDA said it inspected the company’s production facility and found that controls were not in place to prevent bacterial growth and toxin formation. The agency recommended that D&M Smoked Fish recall all cold smoked sprats currently on the market. According to the FDA, the company declined, so the warning is intended to alert people who may have bought or been served the product.
The agency advises consumers not to eat the sprats. Retailers, restaurants, wholesalers and food-service businesses should not sell or serve cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. People uncertain about a product’s source should contact the store where they bought it or their supplier. The report identifies the business as located in Jamaica, New York.
The warning concerns a potential hazard from the production conditions; the source material does not report that a particular illness or confirmed case has been linked to the sprats. The FDA says botulism-causing contamination may not change a food’s appearance, smell or taste, so consumers cannot reliably judge safety by checking the product. Anyone who ate the sprats and develops symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
Why the Sprats Warning Matters
Foodborne botulism is a serious illness because its toxin can interfere with the nerves that control muscles. The FDA warns that, without treatment, paralysis may affect the muscles used for breathing and can result in sudden death. The agency’s advice applies beyond households: restaurants and other food businesses are told not to serve the product, helping prevent further exposure while the warning is in effect.
The company’s reported refusal to recall also matters for consumers trying to identify potentially affected food. Rather than relying on a company-initiated withdrawal, the FDA has issued a direct public warning and told buyers to check with retailers or suppliers if the product’s origin is uncertain. Since contaminated food may look and smell normal, the agency’s identification and handling advice is more useful than sensory checks.
The warning does not establish that every package is contaminated or that illness has occurred. It identifies a potential botulism risk tied to missing production controls. Readers should follow the FDA’s instruction not to eat the product and seek medical advice if symptoms develop after consumption.
FDA food recall and safety alerts guide
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Inspection Findings Behind the Alert
The FDA’s warning follows an inspection of the facility operated by D&M Smoked Fish Inc., which does business as Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. According to the agency, the inspection found the company had not implemented required controls intended to prevent Clostridium botulinum from growing and forming toxin in its cold smoked sprats. The FDA then recommended a recall, which the company declined, according to the agency.
The public alert was published on October 23, 2026. The source report describes the product as cold smoked sprats but does not provide package sizes, lot codes, dates, distribution locations or a complete product label. It also does not say how many packages may be on the market. Consumers who cannot tell whether their sprats came from Haifa should ask the retailer or supplier rather than assume the product is unaffected.
Botulism symptoms can begin at different times. The FDA information provided in the report says symptoms generally start 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food, but onset can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days. Possible symptoms include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth and muscle weakness. A person may not experience all symptoms at once.
“The agency recommended D&M Smoked Fish Inc. recall all cold smoked sprats currently on the market, but the firm declined.”
— U.S. Food and Drug Administration
food thermometer for checking cooked fish temperature
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Product Scope and Illness Status
The available report does not specify lot numbers, package details, production dates, best-by dates or the full distribution area, so consumers may need help from a retailer or supplier to confirm whether a package is covered by the warning. It also does not state how many products were distributed or whether any remain in stores.
The source material reports no confirmed illnesses associated with the sprats and does not establish that every package contains botulinum toxin. What the FDA has reported is that required production controls were absent and that this creates a potential risk. The company’s reasons for declining the recall, and whether it may change its position, are not provided.
home food safety and botulism prevention guide
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Steps for Consumers and Sellers
Consumers should not eat cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. If they are unsure of a product’s source, the FDA advises contacting the place of purchase or the supplier. Retailers, restaurants, wholesalers and food-service customers should stop selling or serving the product in line with the agency’s warning.
Anyone who has eaten the sprats and develops possible botulism symptoms should seek medical care immediately. Because symptoms can appear from six hours to 10 days after eating contaminated food, people should take symptoms seriously even if some time has passed. Further details, such as product identifiers or changes in the company’s recall position, were not included in the source report and remain to be clarified.
Key Questions
Which product is covered by the FDA warning?
The warning concerns cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. The company is identified as D&M Smoked Fish Inc., doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish. The source report does not provide lot codes or package descriptions.
Why did the FDA issue the warning?
The FDA said a facility inspection found required controls to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation were not in place. The agency recommended a recall, but reported that the company declined.
Can I tell whether the sprats are contaminated by smell or appearance?
No. The FDA warns that food contaminated with the spores that cause botulism may look, smell and taste normal. Do not taste the product to check it; follow the warning and contact the seller or supplier if its source is uncertain.
What symptoms should prompt medical attention?
Possible symptoms include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. Symptoms may begin 18 to 36 hours after eating, but can start sooner or as late as 10 days afterward. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after eating the product.
Have illnesses been confirmed in connection with the sprats?
The source report does not report any confirmed illnesses linked to the product. The FDA warning is based on the production controls found during inspection and the resulting potential botulism risk.
Source: rss
NFL season / tailgating Picks
team gear
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
