A tragic incident involving the death of a young girl with a severe dairy allergy has brought food allergy awareness to the forefront. Hannah Jacobs, a 13-year-old from Barking, east London, passed away after consuming a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee, mistakenly made with dairy milk instead of soya milk. Despite her mother informing the barista about her daughter’s allergy, the mix-up led to a fatal anaphylactic reaction on February 8 last year.
Following the incident, Hannah was rushed to a nearby pharmacy where she was given an EpiPen in an attempt to counteract the reaction. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, medical staff were unable to save her life, and she was declared dead at 1pm that day. An inquest into her death is set to begin at the east London coroner’s court, where witnesses and experts will provide testimonies.
The heartbreaking story of Hannah’s passing has shed light on the importance of understanding and managing food allergies, especially in public places like coffee shops. Allergy UK reports that anaphylaxis-type reactions occur in about one in 1,000 people, with peanut allergies affecting around 2% of children in the UK.
In cases of anaphylaxis emergencies, immediate action is crucial. The Anaphylaxis Campaign emphasizes the importance of administering the EpiPen as soon as a reaction is suspected and calling emergency services promptly. It is essential to ensure the person experiencing the allergic reaction remains still, lying down if possible, while waiting for medical assistance. Providing clear and precise information to the emergency operator, including details about the allergen causing the reaction, can help expedite the response.
The tragic loss of Hannah Jacobs serves as a reminder of the life-threatening consequences of food allergies and the importance of proper communication and awareness in food service establishments. This heartbreaking incident highlights the need for increased education and vigilance in handling food allergies to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.