Flavoured noodles linked to over 100 Salmonella infections across Europe

Key facts

• Flavoured instant noodles are identified as the likely source of a salmonella outbreak across 14 European countries.
• The outbreak has resulted in 106 confirmed cases, with a majority affecting children and young adults.
• At least 49 individuals required hospitalization due to the infections.
• Cases were reported in Austria, Britain, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
• The outbreak is linked to Salmonella Stanley and other strains from a producer in Ukraine.
• Reeva Foods has initiated a recall of specific noodle batches following an alleged detection of Salmonella Stanley.

European health authorities have identified flavoured instant noodles as the probable cause of a salmonella outbreak that has affected 106 people across 14 countries. The majority of those infected were children and young adults, and 49 individuals required hospitalization.

Cases have been reported in Austria, Britain, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. The European Food Safety Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control stated that control measures, including product withdrawals and recalls in several nations, have significantly reduced the likelihood of further infections.

Epidemiological investigations have linked the cases to specific brands of flavoured noodle products. While the specific vendor was not named, cases associated with Salmonella Stanley and other strains were connected to a producer in Ukraine. Reeva Foods confirmed an alleged detection of Salmonella Stanley in a specific batch of its instant noodles distributed in the Baltic market, produced by Euro Food Service. The company has initiated an internal investigation, withdrawn the affected batches, and is cooperating with regulatory authorities.