Egypt: Boy dies after eating 3 packs of uncooked noodles

A 13-year-old boy died in Cairo after eating three packets of uncooked instant noodles, according to Arabic media reports.

Police said they were alerted to the incident and found the child dead at his home with no visible injuries or signs of foul play. Initial investigations suggested that the boy’s sudden illness was triggered after he ate the noodles raw.

The public prosecution ordered the detention of the shopkeeper who sold the product to the child and directed that samples be sent for laboratory testing. The boy’s body has been transferred for an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.

Preliminary results showed the noodles met standard food safety requirements, with investigators noting that the death may have been caused by complications linked to consuming an excessive quantity of uncooked noodles.

Also Read: 65-year-old Japanese man has eaten instant noodles daily for 30 years

Medical experts warn such consumption can lead to acute intestinal issues or digestive blockages.

Instant noodles, popularly known in Egypt under the brand name Indomie, are widely eaten due to their affordability and convenience. However, recent years have seen concerns raised about health risks linked to their ingredients, such as preservatives and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Egypt’s National Nutrition Institute has maintained that there is no scientific evidence directly linking instant noodles to fatalities, stressing that such cases may be linked to misuse, overconsumption, or improper storage conditions.