An Egyptian boy, following the trend of the 'Eat Ramen Raw' challenge popular on social media, ate three packets of ramen without boiling them and died after experiencing severe abdominal pain and vomiting.
According to reports from foreign media including The Sun in the UK on the 25th (local time), a 13-year-old boy living in Cairo recently ate three instant ramen packets consecutively without cooking them. About 30 minutes later, the boy complained of abdominal pain, vomiting, and cold sweat, and his condition rapidly deteriorated in front of his family, ultimately leading to his death.
Initially, there were suggestions that the ramen might have been contaminated or that there was an issue with the storage process. The police investigated the sales points and distribution routes, but toxic substances were not found in the product according to the autopsy results.
Authorities suspect that the cause of death was acute bowel disease or gastrointestinal obstruction due to the consumption of a large quantity of raw ramen.
Foreign media reported that the incident is speculated to be influenced by the recent trend of the 'Eat Ramen Raw' challenge on social media.
This challenge has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok for several years, racking up millions of views. Participants claimed that instant ramen is already 'precooked' and therefore safe to eat raw, but experts warn of the dangers.
Manufacturers are advising that 'products must be consumed following the cooking instructions.' Some types of ramen can cause bowel obstruction or dehydration if consumed excessively in their raw form, which can lead to serious consequences.
Additionally, ramen is made from refined wheat flour, which lacks fiber. Professor Lauren Ball from Queensland University in Australia noted, 'Dietary fiber is essential for bowel health and smooth digestion,' and pointed out that a diet primarily consisting of ramen can put strain on the gastrointestinal tract.