Fact Check: Did 5 kids die from eating Ramen noodles? Viral TikTok recall claims explored

Several videos have recently been going viral on TikTok, warning the masses about packages of Ramen being recalled due to a deadly bacteria allegedly present in the Japanese noodles. A few videos on social media are even claiming that five kids have died from a fatal infection caused by eating Japanese noodles.

A few videos, which have millions of views and thousands of reshares, claim that thousands of packets of the noodles are being recalled due to the same. A few videos floating on the internet also claim that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has claimed that “a third of adults will not make it after they are infected with the virus in the Ramen noodles.”

The videos about the alleged infected noodles have left the masses shocked and worried due to the claims. However, upon checking the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was no notice about the Ramen noodles being recalled.

It is worth noting that if the CDC had issued a notice as mentioned in a few viral videos, it would have surely been there on their website.

Furthermore, Ramen has also not issued any notice regarding the recall, or the alleged virus. Hence, the viral videos making the claims are fake. As of this writing, the noodles have neither been recalled nor do they have any deadly virus.

The news about kids dying, and people being infected is also misleading, as no viable proof could be found for the same.

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Meta flags the video making claims of Ramen infecting people

Several videos have been going viral on social media, with misleading claims about the noodles spreading a viral infection. A few videos floating on Instagram also mentioned that the alleged noodles brand has “sparked a global fear” and claimed that the bacteria, named “streptococcal” has been taking many lives.

However, Meta was prompt to flag the video as misinformation and claimed that the “post is fake.” Adding a note before the video, Meta stated on Instagram:

“Third-party fact-checkers say that the information in this post is false. No evidence ramen noodles contain deadly bacteria.”

While the CDC’s official website does not have any information about the Japanese noodles and the alleged bacteria, it does talk about “Streptococcus,” the bacteria being said to be inside the noodle packs being recalled.

The website states that this kind of bacteria is contagious and “spread the bacteria to others through respiratory droplets or direct contact.”

On the other hand, many videos making such claims are also being deleted, as many people on social media are actively debunking the truth, and spreading awareness about how this is not true.

This also highlights how crucial it is to verify the information first, and then send it further, as spreading untrue or unverified information can mislead the masses.