106 confirmed Salmonella Stanley cases across 13 EU/EEA countries and the UK have been linked to flavored instant noodles from a single Ukrainian producer, with illnesses dating back to November 2025.
49 patients were hospitalized, and children were hit hardest: 33 confirmed cases were in children under 10, with investigators saying some ate the noodles and seasoning dry instead of cooking them.
WGS analysis matched human cases to noodle samples collected in Germany and Lithuania, strengthening evidence that chicken-flavored and hot chicken-flavored products were the outbreak vehicle.
Testing also found other Salmonella serovars in products from the same manufacturer, suggesting multiple contaminated ingredients or contamination points rather than a single event.
Recalls and warnings have been issued in several countries, but EFSA and ECDC said the contamination source remains unknown and long-shelf-life products may still be in homes.