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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 the company declined its recommendation to recall the product and advises consumers not to eat it and businesses not to sell or serve 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 that required controls to prevent botulism-causing bacteria were not in place. The agency said the company, D&M Smoked Fish Inc. doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish, declined its recommendation to recall the product, prompting the public warning.
The FDA said the sprats were produced without controls intended to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum and the formation of its toxin. The agency reported that it identified the missing controls during an inspection of the production facility. It has recommended that D&M Smoked Fish recall all of its cold smoked sprats currently on the market.
Because the company declined that recommendation, the FDA issued an alert warning of a potential botulism risk for consumers who eat the product. The agency advises retailers, restaurants, wholesalers and food-service customers not to sell or serve cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish. Consumers who are unsure whether their sprats came from the company should contact the store where they bought them or their supplier.
The report does not say that a botulism case has been linked to the sprats, or that testing confirmed the product contains toxin. The warning is based on the agency’s finding that the production process lacked required controls. The FDA’s advice is to avoid the product while the alert is in effect, rather than rely on its appearance or smell to judge whether it is safe.
Why the Sprats Warning Matters
Botulism is a potentially life-threatening illness, and contaminated food may look, smell and taste normal. That means consumers cannot use ordinary sensory checks to determine whether these sprats are safe. The FDA’s warning gives shoppers and food businesses a reason to avoid the product even if its packaging appears intact or the fish seems unspoiled.
The agency says untreated botulism can cause paralysis of muscles used for breathing and can lead to death. For restaurants, retailers and other food-service businesses, the warning also calls for checking stock and supplier information so the product is not sold or served. For consumers who may already have eaten it, knowing the possible symptoms and seeking prompt medical care can matter because illness can progress.
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Inspection and Recall Recommendation
The FDA’s warning followed an inspection of the facility associated with D&M Smoked Fish Inc., which does business as Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. and is located in Jamaica, New York, according to the source report. The agency said the facility’s production did not have controls required to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation in the cold smoked sprats.
The agency recommended that the company recall all affected cold smoked sprats on the market. The company’s refusal to do so is the reason given for the FDA’s public alert. The supplied report does not identify particular lot codes, package sizes, sales dates or distribution locations, so consumers may need to confirm the product’s origin with a seller or supplier.
Foodborne botulism symptoms generally start 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food, the FDA says, but onset can range from six hours to as long as 10 days. Possible symptoms include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, trouble swallowing or breathing, a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth and muscle weakness. A person may not experience every symptom.
“The company has declined to recall the item.”
— U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Product and Illness Details Unreported
The source report does not specify which lots or packages are affected, how widely the sprats were distributed, or whether any product remains available for purchase. It also does not report illnesses or confirm that botulinum toxin was detected in the fish. The FDA’s stated concern is that the required production controls were absent, creating a potential risk.
The supplied information does not explain why the company declined the recall recommendation or whether the FDA has taken additional enforcement steps. It is also unclear whether the company has since changed its position. Consumers who cannot identify the product’s source should ask their retailer or supplier rather than assume the sprats are unaffected.
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Steps for Consumers and Sellers
Consumers should not eat the cold smoked sprats identified as sold by Haifa Smoked Fish. People who are uncertain about a product’s origin should contact the place of purchase or supplier. Retailers and food-service businesses should stop selling or serving the product, as advised by the FDA, and check their inventory and purchasing records.
Anyone who has eaten the sprats and develops symptoms consistent with botulism should seek immediate medical attention, the agency says. The available report gives no date for a further FDA update or a company response beyond its refusal to recall. Any additional information about affected product identifiers, distribution or regulatory action remains pending in the supplied material.
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Key Questions
Which cold smoked fish 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.
Why did the FDA issue a warning?
The FDA said an inspection found that required controls to prevent Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin formation were not in place. The company declined the agency’s recommendation to recall the sprats.
What should I do if I bought the sprats?
Do not eat them. If you are unsure whether your cold smoked sprats came from Haifa Smoked Fish, contact the retailer or supplier to identify the product’s source.
What symptoms can botulism cause, and when can they begin?
Symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. They generally begin 18 to 36 hours after exposure, but may start as early as six hours or as late as 10 days. Seek immediate medical care if symptoms develop after eating the product.
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