Tragic Incident: 13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Drinking Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate

Introduction

In a heartbreaking incident, a 13-year-old girl named Hannah Jacobs from Barking, East London, tragically lost her life after consuming a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee. Hannah, who had a severe dairy allergy, believed the drink was made with soya milk. This incident has raised significant concerns about food safety and allergen management in the food and beverage industry.

The Incident

• Date and Location: The incident occurred on February 8, 2023, when Hannah and her mother stopped at a Costa Coffee outlet before a dentist appointment¹.
• Allergy Information: Hannah had a known intolerance to dairy, egg, fish, and wheat since she was a toddler. Her mother informed the barista about Hannah’s dairy allergy and requested a hot chocolate made with soya milk.
• Reaction: After taking a sip of the hot chocolate in the dentist’s waiting room, Hannah suspected it contained dairy milk instead of soya. She immediately began experiencing symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

Emergency Response

• Seeking Help: Hannah and her mother rushed to a nearby pharmacy, where she was given an EpiPen to self-administer. The EpiPen helps to relax the muscles in the airways and combat allergic reactions¹.
• Medical Intervention: Despite the quick response, Hannah’s condition worsened. An ambulance crew arrived and attempted resuscitation, but tragically, Hannah was pronounced dead at 1 pm.

Legal and Safety Implications

• Inquest: An inquest into Hannah’s death is scheduled to begin at East London Coroner’s Court on August 12, 2024. The inquest will seek to establish the circumstances that led to her death and whether there were any lapses in allergen management.
• Natasha’s Law: This incident follows the tragic case of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a baguette from Pret a Manger. In response, the UK government introduced Natasha’s Law in 2021. Also requiring all food businesses to provide full ingredient lists and clear allergen labeling on pre-packaged foods made on the premises for direct sale.

Public Reaction and Awareness

• Community Impact: Hannah’s death has deeply affected her community and has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of allergen awareness and safety in the food industry¹.
• Calls for Stricter Regulations: There are growing calls for stricter regulations. And better training for food service staff to prevent such tragedies in the future¹.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Hannah Jacobs underscores the critical need for rigorous allergen management. And clear communication in the food and beverage industry. As the inquest seeks to uncover the details of this incident. It serves as a stark reminder of the potentially life-threatening consequences of food allergies. Ensuring the safety of all customers, especially those with severe allergies, must be a top priority for all food establishments.