A major salmonella outbreak linked to flavored instant noodle pots has hospitalized 49 people across 14 countries, European health authorities reported.
At least 106 individuals have been sickened since the outbreak began in November last year, according to data from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
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Among those hospitalized, 33 are children under the age of 10.
Investigations point to flavored noodle products from a single brand as the most likely source. The salmonella Stanley strain has been traced back to a manufacturer in Ukraine.
International brand Reeva Foods confirmed that a batch produced by Ukrainian manufacturer Euro Food Service was contaminated.
The company said it had proactively withdrawn the affected batches and launched an internal investigation.
“The safety of our consumers is our top priority,” Reeva Foods stated last week.
Affected Countries and Ongoing Risks
The outbreak has affected patients in Austria, the UK, Denmark, Estonia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
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Denmark was the first country to report the S. Stanley ST2045 strain.
Patients across multiple nations confirmed they had eaten the same brand of noodle pots.
Officials noted that additional salmonella strains were found in some products, suggesting possible multiple contamination sources.
“A root cause and points of contamination have not yet been established, and further investigations are needed,” the ECDC said.
Health officials remain concerned that chicken-flavored noodles from the specific brand still pose an active risk.
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“Given that these products have a long shelf life, they may still pose a risk, as they can be stored in household kitchens for extended periods, meaning that further cases could still occur,” the ECDC warned.
