European health authorities have identified flavoured instant noodles as the most likely source of a Salmonella outbreak that has infected at least 106 people across 14 countries. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), most cases have involved children and young adults, and at least 49 people have been hospitalised.
Evidence points to a single brand
The agencies said available evidence points to flavoured noodle products from the same brand as the source of the ongoing multi-country outbreak. Cases have been recorded in Austria, Britain, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden.
Health authorities noted that product withdrawals and recalls already carried out in several countries have substantially reduced the risk of further infections linked to the outbreak. Investigations found that cases reported in Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Latvia and Lithuania were associated with the consumption of flavoured instant noodles from the same brand.
Link to a Ukrainian producer
While the agencies did not identify the brand involved, they said infections linked to Salmonella Stanley and other Salmonella strains were connected to a producer based in Ukraine.
Last week, food company Reeva Foods said an "alleged detection" of Salmonella Stanley had been reported in a specific batch of its instant noodles distributed in the Baltic region and manufactured by Ukrainian producer Euro Food Service.
The company said it had launched an internal investigation and withdrawn the affected batches from the market. It added that additional measures had been introduced, including independent laboratory testing, regulatory audits, environmental monitoring and other preventive actions.
"The safety of our consumers is our top priority," Reeva Foods said, adding that it is cooperating with the relevant authorities.
Symptoms and those most at risk
Salmonellosis typically causes symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, which usually last several days. Most patients recover within a week without treatment. However, infections can be more serious for young children, older people and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Source: euronews
