More people are sick in a multi-country Salmonella outbreak in Europe mainly affecting children and young adults.
A total of 83 confirmed cases had symptom onset between December 2025 and mid-May 2026. Another 24 cases identified in 2026 have not yet been sequenced and may be part of the outbreak. At least 20 people have been hospitalized.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said new Salmonella Stanley cases continue to be identified, which suggests ongoing exposure.
Denmark initially detected the outbreak and posted an alert in March when eight people were sick. Cases have been identified in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
In England, 21 patients are part of the outbreak. They fell sick between the end of January and mid-April. Eight patients are children and six people have been hospitalized. Austria is also affected with six sick people.
Recall in Germany
Epidemiological investigations indicate a link to chicken-flavored instant noodles and/or processed chicken products. Some patients reported consuming instant noodles without preparation, just with the seasoning that comes with the noodles.
Several sick people have consumed instant noodles of the same brand. However, not all cases can be explained by this product.
Salmonella Stanley was detected in an instant noodle meal from Ukraine via Poland.
In Germany, Reeva Instant Noodle Dish Chicken Flavor 60 grams has been recalled. The affected lot is L0126 with an expiration date of April 5, 2027.
According to information from SLCO GmbH & Co. KG, an investigation by authorities in Saxony detected Salmonella Stanley in the product.
ECDC said the risk of infection is very low for the general population and low for children and young adults, as long as cooking instructions are followed.
“Consumers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing and consuming instant noodles and the related spice mix, which are not ready to eat food.”
ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are working on a joint rapid outbreak assessment to further assess the source with publication expected in early July.
ECDC and EFSA are also producing a document on the multi country outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans linked to the consumption of sprouted seeds. The planned publication date is in late June.
Ireland, Finland and the UK have reported 50 patients infected with genetically closely related bacterial isolates of Salmonella Bovismorbificans from January to April 2026.
Investigations in all three countries point to the consumption of sprouted seeds of different sorts. At least five people have been hospitalized.
According to a Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alert, the suspected sources are alfalfa seeds, clover seeds, broccoli seeds and radish seeds from Italy.