An outbreak linked to instant noodles has been reported in 13 EU countries
A large-scale outbreak of salmonellosis has been reported in European Union countries and the United Kingdom; according to preliminary data, it is linked to instant noodles. In total, more than a hundred cases of infection have been confirmed, some of which resulted in hospitalization.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported an investigation into a large-scale outbreak of salmonellosis that has affected 13 EU countries and the United Kingdom. According to experts, 106 cases of infection were confirmed between November 2025 and June 2026, with a significant number of patients requiring medical care.
The infection was most commonly reported among children and young adults. At least 49 people were hospitalized, indicating the severity of the disease in some patients. Cases were reported in Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
In its report, the ECDC notes that the strain in question is Salmonella Stanley, which may be linked to products from a single manufacturer in Ukraine. However, the specific company has not been officially named, as the investigation is ongoing and additional laboratory confirmation is required. “The investigation has identified products distributed across several countries that were produced by the same manufacturer in Ukraine. This suggests a possible common source of contamination at the production facility level, although further investigation is needed,” the agency’s statement reads.
Experts emphasize that at this stage, these are preliminary conclusions based on epidemiological links between cases of illness and products that may share a common origin. The definitive causes of the outbreak are to be determined through additional inspections and laboratory analyses. The situation is under the control of European health authorities, and the countries where cases have been reported continue to track supply chains and monitor for possible new cases of infection.
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