Alert over new ramen 'challenge': Deadly risks emerge after teen’s sudden death
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A 13-year-old boy in Cairo, Egypt, died after reportedly eating three packs of uncooked instant ramen in a row, raising concerns over a dangerous social media trend encouraging people to eat ramen without cooking it.
According to local reports from Al Arabiya and Ynetnews, the boy began experiencing severe abdominal pain, vomiting and profuse sweating within 30 minutes of eating the ramen. His condition quickly deteriorated and he later died.
Authorities initially investigated the possibility of contamination and questioned the seller, but toxicology tests and an autopsy found no traces of poisonous substances. Experts believe the cause of death was likely acute gastrointestinal illness or intestinal obstruction triggered by consuming a large quantity of dry noodles.
Intestinal obstructions occur when food or foreign material block the intestines, preventing normal digestion. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating and constipation, and in severe cases, it can cut off blood flow to the intestines and lead to tissue necrosis. According to the Korean Society of Gastroenterology, acute obstruction often requires emergency surgery and has a high fatality rate if left untreated.
Medical experts explained that dry ramen rapidly absorbs moisture in the digestive tract, which can cause severe dehydration. Instant noodles are made from dried flour and seasoning powder, which can quickly draw fluids into the intestines. Combined with vomiting, this can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. Undigested clumps of noodles can also remain in the intestines, creating mechanical blockages. Children and teenagers, who naturally have lower fluid reserves, are especially vulnerable.
Meanwhile, a “raw ramen eating challenge” has been trending on social media platforms, with more young people sharing videos of themselves eating uncooked noodles straight from the package. Some consumers mistakenly believe that instant ramen is safe to eat without further cooking because it is fried during the production process.
Ramen manufacturers strongly advise following the recommended cooking instructions, stressing that eating uncooked noodles can pose serious health risks. Experts also warned that leaving processed foods like ramen at room temperature for extended periods can increase the risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illness.
According to specialists, instant noodles and other processed foods should be consumed only after proper cooking. They warn that SNS-driven challenges like this could escalate from a harmless trend into a serious public health issue.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.