On 25/8, the boy experienced severe abdominal pain and vomiting shortly after consuming the uncooked noodles. According to local media, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died en route to the hospital. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as acute bowel obstruction or acute digestive disorder, ruling out food poisoning or toxic substances.
Bowel obstruction occurs when a mass of undigested food (plant-based, animal-based, hair, or a mixture) forms in the stomach and then travels down to block the small intestine. This is often caused by consuming foods high in tannins, such as persimmons, guavas, figs, and fruit seeds, or foods that are difficult to digest and high in fiber, like bamboo shoots, jackfruit, and chewing gum. Tannins and fiber react with stomach acid, forming a solid mass.
People who have had stomach surgery, the elderly who have lost teeth, and children are particularly susceptible to this type of bowel obstruction. Common symptoms include abdominal pain and distension, vomiting, and inability to pass gas or stool. The condition requires emergency surgery. Without timely treatment, it can lead to bowel perforation, abdominal infection, electrolyte imbalance, sepsis, and even death.
The incident has sparked public debate in Egypt about stricter regulations on additives in processed foods. Local media have also highlighted studies warning about the long-term health risks of ultra-processed foods like snacks and sweets.
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Instant noodles are considered nutritionally unbalanced. Photo: Pexels |
Instant noodles are considered nutritionally unbalanced. Photo: Pexels
Nutritionists emphasize that the risk stems not only from eating uncooked noodles but also from the inherent nutritional imbalance of this type of food. Each pack of instant noodles contains 1,000-1,500 mg of sodium (three packs contain 4,000-4,500 mg), exceeding half the World Health Organization’s recommended daily intake of 2,000 mg. Professor Lauren Ball from the University of Queensland warned that a diet primarily based on instant noodles can harm the digestive system due to a lack of fiber.
The incident has also drawn strong criticism towards the "Eat Ramen Raw" trend circulating on social media platforms like TikTok. This challenge, which involves crushing and eating uncooked instant noodles, has garnered millions of views. However, this tragic death highlights the potential dangers of this trend.
Hoang Dung (Times of India)
