A 13-year-old boy has died after reportedly consuming three packs of uncooked instant noodles.
Just half an hour after eating them, the teenager began experiencing severe stomach pains, heavy sweating, and vomiting, according to local reports.
The boy, who lived in Cairo, Egypt, died soon after his condition worsened and raised alarm among his family.
At first, authorities feared the noodles may have been poisoned or contaminated. Police even questioned the shopkeeper who sold them, concerned that food safety rules had not been followed.
However, tests and an autopsy later confirmed that the noodles were not tainted. Instead, doctors believe the boy’s death was caused by acute intestinal issues or a digestive blockage from consuming such a large amount of raw noodles.
Medical experts warn that eating uncooked noodles can lead to dehydration and intestinal blockages. Despite these dangers, a social media trend has popularized eating raw instant noodles, fueling a rise in similar cases.
The “Eat Ramen Raw” challenge has attracted millions of views, particularly among younger audiences, with many arguing the noodles are technically edible since they are pre-cooked. Still, manufacturers stress that consumers should always follow cooking instructions.
This tragedy follows another case in Belgium, where a 20-year-old man, identified only as AJ, died after eating a bowl of reheated pasta in tomato sauce. He suffered headaches, stomach pain, and repeated vomiting before being found dead in his bed. An autopsy suggested food poisoning from Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that had contaminated the pasta after it was left at room temperature for several days.
Concerns about contaminated food have been growing worldwide. Earlier this month, two people died after eating a toxic batch of guacamole at a food festival. The dip, which contained contaminated avocados, led to symptoms of botulism.
In Italy, two more people lost their lives after consuming a toxic vegetable and sausage sandwich from a food truck near Diamante in Calabria. More than a dozen others were hospitalized. Among the victims were Tamara D’Acunto, 45, and Luigi Di Sarno, 52, who both died after eating sandwiches containing turnip greens, a vegetable similar to broccoli.
