Hannah’s mother, Abimbola Duyile, holds a picture of her daughter
By The Nexus Gazette.
17th August, 2024.
In a devastating incident, 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs tragically lost her life after consuming a Costa Coffee hot chocolate that was mistakenly made with cow’s milk instead of soya milk. This heartbreaking case highlights a critical failure in allergy management protocols and food safety procedures.
On February 8, 2022, Hannah Jacobs, who had severe allergies to dairy, fish, and eggs, ordered a hot chocolate with soya milk at a Costa Coffee branch in Barking, east London. Despite her mother’s explicit instructions, the barista used cow’s milk. Within moments of drinking the hot chocolate, Hannah experienced severe allergic symptoms, including chest pains, swollen lips, and itchiness. Tragically, she died within hours due to a severe anaphylactic reaction triggered by the allergen.
An inquest revealed significant lapses in allergy management and communication. The failure to follow established protocols for handling food allergies led to this tragic outcome. The incident underscores the urgent need for improved allergy training and adherence to food safety practices in cafes and restaurants.
Neither Hannah nor her mother carried an epi-pen, a critical device for treating severe allergic reactions. The absence of an epi-pen during the emergency may have contributed to the severity of the allergic reaction, highlighting the importance of carrying such life-saving equipment for individuals with severe allergies.
Hannah’s mother, Abimbola Duyile, has expressed profound grief over her daughter’s death, describing Hannah as vivacious and caring. Duyile has called for more rigorous allergy training and emphasized that food establishments must take allergy management seriously, rather than treating it as a formality.
Costa Coffee has expressed condolences to the Jacobs family and pledged to review and improve their allergy management procedures. The company is committed to understanding how the error occurred and ensuring that proper protocols are strictly followed to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of allergy awareness, effective communication, and rigorous food safety practices in preventing allergic reactions. Ensuring that food establishments adhere to strict allergy protocols is essential for protecting individuals with severe allergies.
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