Professor Jesda analyzes the mysterious ingredient linked to an Udon Thani noodle shop incident that caused illnesses, after Ramathibodi Poison Center sent methylene blue as the antidote.
Following multiple reports of people falling ill after eating noodles at a shop in Ban Pornsawan, Nong Nakham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province, and being urgently hospitalized on 8 Jun 2026, the Ramathibodi Poison Center coordinated the delivery of the antidote "methylene blue" through the NHSO system, saving five severely affected patients in time, as previously reported.Read more: Ramathibodi Poison Center coordinates antidote delivery to save five patients from Udon Thani noodle shop incident)
Most recently, on 10 June 2026, Professor Dr. Jesda Denduangboripant, a biology professor at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, and a science communicator, posted a message regarding this matter.
He stated that if methylene blue was sent as an antidote, it indicates that the "salt-like powder" from the garbage pile causing people to fall ill after eating noodles is likely sodium nitrite.
The symptoms reported are consistent with those of people poisoned by consuming a large amount of sodium nitrite.
Sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) is a substance that blocks oxygen transport in the blood, causing methemoglobinemia, while methylene blue (C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S) is the main antidote used to counteract this poison.
: Sodium nitrite is a chemical commonly used in processed food preservation, such as sausages or Chinese sausage, to inhibit bacterial growth and provide a bright red color. However, excessive intake binds to red blood cells, preventing the body from transporting oxygen. Patients may develop cyanosis (bluish skin), experience difficulty breathing, and can die rapidly.
As for methylene blue, it is a positively charged blue dye that, besides laboratory and ornamental fish treatment uses, is an important antidote that restores abnormal red blood cells to normal function, allowing oxygen transport again.
Information from the Facebook page "Oh, That's How It Is by Professor Jesda"