New York shoppers should not eat Haifa cold smoked sprats sold by Haifa Smoked Fish, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday. The Oct. 23 alert covers all lots because of a possible botulism risk, including fish that may still be stored in home freezers.
What shoppers should check
The warning names D&M Smoked Fish Inc., doing business as Haifa Smoked Fish, Inc., in Jamaica, New York. The fish were shipped in refrigerated bulk boxes to retailers, restaurants, wholesalers and food-service businesses in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Fish sold at a seafood counter or restaurant may not have a brand label. If you cannot tell whether your cold smoked sprats came from Haifa, do not eat them. The FDA says to discard them or ask the place of purchase about their source.
Why the FDA issued an alert
The agency said an inspection found that the company was making the product without required controls to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum and its toxin. The FDA said the company declined its request for a voluntary recall.
This is a safety warning, not a notice that the company has agreed to recall the fish. Food containing the toxin can look and smell normal, the FDA cautioned.
Do not wait if symptoms develop
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes botulism as a medical emergency. Warning signs can include trouble swallowing, muscle weakness, blurred or double vision, slurred speech and difficulty breathing. Seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms. Do not wait to see whether they improve.
Why this matters locally
New York is a confirmed distribution state. That makes a refrigerator and freezer check worthwhile for Mohawk Valley households that buy this type of smoked fish. The alert does not name a Utica store or restaurant, so it should not be read as evidence against a particular local business.
Sources: FDA safety alert, Oct. 23, 2026; eFoodAlert roundup, Oct. 23, 2026; CDC botulism symptoms guidance, April 1, 2024. Reporting checked Oct. 24, 2026.
