Viral Claims of Ramen Noodles Causing Deaths Debunked: No Recall Issued
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Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Viral Claims About Ramen Noodles and Child Deaths Debunked: What You Need to Know.
In recent weeks, alarming claims about a recall of ramen noodles due to a deadly bacteria have gone viral on TikTok, leaving many people worried and confused. The videos, some of which have garnered millions of views, allege that five children died after eating Japanese noodles contaminated with a dangerous bacteria. Some even claimed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had issued a warning, stating that a significant portion of adults infected by the virus present in the noodles wouldn’t survive. But are these claims based on reality, or are they another example of viral misinformation?
The videos, which have been widely shared on TikTok and other social media platforms, prompted concern among viewers. The viral claims suggest that ramen noodles have been recalled due to the presence of bacteria, and even accuse the noodles of causing fatal infections. However, after thoroughly checking the facts, it becomes clear that these claims are false.
Just in case you see it around, there's no ramen recall due to deadly bacteria. Most recent recall was in May & it was due to undeclared ingredients. https://t.co/EWwlYi2Qlo
— Ghost Panda (@JumpcityA) September 19, 2024
No Recall or CDC Warning
A key part of the viral misinformation was the assertion that the CDC had issued a recall notice for ramen noodles due to the supposed deadly bacteria. However, after reviewing the CDC’s official website and its recall page, there is no mention of any recall linked to ramen noodles or any such bacteria. If the CDC had indeed issued a warning about a dangerous infection in a widely consumed product like ramen noodles, it would have been prominently listed on their site and covered by major news outlets.
Similarly, no official notice has been released by ramen manufacturers regarding any recalls tied to bacterial contamination. As of now, there is no evidence of any dangerous bacteria found in ramen products, nor have there been any credible reports of ramen causing fatal infections.
Fact Check: NO Evidence 'Five Children Passed Away' In U.S. From Instant Ramen Noodles During Recall #CheckTok #SunNoodles #FDA #Recall#Ramen #FactCheck #Noodles https://t.co/He4rOc7Snd pic.twitter.com/67C15NK27S
— Lead Stories (@LeadStoriesCom) September 18, 2024
Where Did These Claims Come From?
The viral misinformation appears to have originated from a TikTok post shared on September 11, which falsely claimed that five children had died after consuming instant ramen noodles. This sparked a wave of panic, with other users sharing and amplifying the claims. Some users even mentioned that the ramen in question was being recalled due to the presence of a bacteria referred to as “streptococcal,” a name tied to a legitimate bacterial infection, but not one linked to any noodle recalls.
Despite the rapid spread of these alarming claims, no reputable source or evidence supports the assertion that ramen noodles are dangerous. In fact, social media platforms like Meta (formerly known as Facebook) were quick to flag these videos as misinformation, adding disclaimers that the content is not based on verified facts. Meta’s third-party fact-checkers also stated that no evidence exists to suggest ramen noodles contain deadly bacteria.
Adults and kids dieing from Ramen noodles pic.twitter.com/cV92buDYb2
— Chrishanda Simmons (@ChrishandaSimm3) September 16, 2024
The Reality Behind Noodle-Related Deaths
Though the recent TikTok claims are baseless, there have been reports of children dying after consuming noodles in the past. For example, in 2021, several children in South Africa tragically died after eating noodles, but these cases were tied to agricultural insecticide contamination, not bacterial infection. This incident, while tragic, is entirely unrelated to the current viral claims about ramen noodles.
Moreover, the last significant recall related to noodles happened in May 2024, when Sun Noodle recalled 37,000 cases of frozen noodles due to undeclared egg white powder. This recall had nothing to do with bacterial contamination or deaths, further emphasizing that the current viral claims are inaccurate.
The Importance of Fact-Checking
The viral ramen recall story is a stark reminder of the importance of fact-checking information before sharing it online. False claims like these can easily mislead the public, cause unnecessary panic, and damage the reputation of brands and products. It’s essential to verify such alarming information with credible sources like the CDC or other official government agencies before spreading it further.
In conclusion, the claims that five children died from eating ramen noodles and that the noodles were recalled due to a deadly bacteria are entirely false. No such recall has been issued, and there is no evidence to support these allegations.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
