In a heartbreaking incident, a 13-year-old girl named Hannah Jacobs tragically passed away after possibly being served hot chocolate made with cow’s milk, despite her severe dairy allergy. The event took place in Barking, east London, and has raised significant concerns about the communication and handling of allergy-related orders in food establishments.
Hannah’s Severe Allergies
Hannah Jacobs had lived with severe allergies to dairy products, fish, and eggs since she was a toddler. Her mother, Abimbola Duyile, was always vigilant about ensuring her daughter’s safety when ordering food and drinks. On February 8, 2022, Hannah’s mother placed an order for two hot chocolates at a Costa Coffee franchise in Barking. According to Duyile, she specifically requested that the drinks be made with soya milk and asked the staff to thoroughly clean the equipment to avoid any cross-contamination.
The Order and the Tragic Outcome
Urmi Akter, the employee who took the order, testified at the inquest that she could clearly hear and see Hannah’s mother as she made the request. Akter stated that Duyile asked for two hot chocolates and requested the jug be washed due to her daughter’s dairy allergy. However, there is a dispute about the exact details of the order.
The inquest heard that Hannah suffered an “immediate reaction” after taking just one sip of the drink. Despite her mother’s precautions, Hannah experienced a severe anaphylactic reaction that led to her tragic death within hours.
The Role of the Allergy Book
Under Costa Coffee’s guidelines, staff are instructed to show customers an allergy information book if they request a non-dairy product or mention a dietary requirement. This book contains important details about ingredients and how drinks are made, which could help prevent misunderstandings. However, Akter admitted that she did not show the book to Duyile, believing that washing the jug would be sufficient.
When questioned during the inquest, Akter chose to exercise her legal right not to answer certain questions about her training and actions during the incident, as these could be seen as incriminating.
A Missed Opportunity for Clarification
The coroner, Dr. Shirley Radcliffe, emphasized the importance of following protocol, especially when it comes to severe allergies. She questioned why the allergy book was not shown to Duyile and whether Akter had fully understood the seriousness of the request.
Emily Slocombe, representing Hannah’s family, highlighted that showing the allergy book could have provided an opportunity to clarify any miscommunication. Unfortunately, this step was not taken, and the result was a tragic loss.
Conclusion:
This heartbreaking case underscores the critical importance of clear communication and strict adherence to allergy protocols in food service establishments. Allergies can be life-threatening, and even a small mistake or misunderstanding can have devastating consequences.
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