European food safety and health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella infections linked to flavored noodle products, which has led to 106 confirmed cases in 14 countries. The cases, first reported in November, have primarily affected children and young adults, with at least 49 individuals requiring hospitalization.
According to separate statements from the European food safety agency EFSA and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, flavored noodle products are considered the most likely source of the ongoing multi-country outbreak. Evidence suggests a link to items from the same brand.
While the specific vendor was not immediately identified, officials stated that cases associated with the salmonella Stanley strain are connected to a producer located in Ukraine. Reeva Foods, in a statement last week, acknowledged the alleged detection of salmonella Stanley in a specific batch of its instant noodles distributed in the Baltic market and produced by Euro Food Service, a Ukrainian manufacturer of Reeva products. The company has initiated an internal investigation and recalled the affected batches. Reeva Foods has stated it is implementing additional preventive measures, including independent laboratory testing, regulatory audits, and environmental monitoring.
The European authorities reported that cases have been confirmed in Austria, Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. Microbiological analysis has detected the outbreak strain in chicken-flavored and hot-chicken-flavored noodle products in Germany and Lithuania, though further investigation is required.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning typically include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration, and stomach cramps. Most individuals recover within a week. However, the infection can be more severe for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.