The tragic death of 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs, who passed away after consuming a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee that she believed was prepared with soy milk, has once again brought the dangers of food allergies to the forefront. Hannah, who had a severe dairy allergy, suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction after unknowingly ingesting dairy in her drink.
On February 8, 2023, Hannah, a resident of Barking, east London, picked up the takeout drink with her mother while en route to a dentist appointment. Hannah’s family had been vigilant about her allergy to dairy, eggs, fish, and wheat since she was a toddler, carefully managing the risks throughout her life. Leigh Day solicitors claim that Hannah’s mother clearly informed the barista about her daughter’s dairy allergy when placing the order.
Unfortunately, Hannah began drinking the beverage in the dentist’s waiting room and quickly suspected that it wasn’t prepared with soy milk as ordered. This raised concerns about the drink’s ingredients. Hannah’s mother rushed her to a nearby pharmacy for assistance, where Hannah was given an EpiPen to self-administer. Despite the efforts of an ambulance crew who arrived on the scene immediately and tried to resuscitate her, Hannah was declared dead at 1pm.
The hot chocolate drink had caused what appeared to be a serious anaphylactic reaction in Hannah. On August 12, the East London Coroner’s Court will open an inquest into her death with the goal of determining exactly what happened before she passed away.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that, once triggered, can be fatal. It develops very quickly. It has been reported that approximately 500 to 1000 people in the United States die from an allergic reaction every year, though those numbers are steadily increasing.
According to Allergy UK, cow’s milk causes allergies in roughly one in every fifty children in the developed world, making dairy allergies the most frequent in children.
Hannah’s passing comes after that of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who passed away in 2016 as a result of an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a Pret a Manger baguette. This tragedy led to the implementation of Natasha’s Law in 2021, which mandated that all food establishments label pre-packaged items produced on-site for direct sale with clear allergen labels and comprehensive ingredient lists.
Prior to Natasha’s Law, shops only needed to post broad allergen warnings throughout the store, rather than just on specific items prepared in-store. While Natasha’s Law was a crucial step in protecting those with food allergies, Hannah’s death raises questions about its effectiveness and the need for continued vigilance.
According to the Food Standards Agency, businesses that sell food run the risk of paying fines if they fail to comply with the regulations. However, Hannah’s story highlights the importance of clear communication between customers and food service workers, as well as the need for accurate labeling of all food items, regardless of whether they are pre-packaged or prepared on-site.
Hannah’s death is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of food allergies. It is a call for continued vigilance and awareness, both from individuals and from businesses that serve food. We must all work together to ensure that everyone has access to safe and enjoyable food experiences, regardless of their allergies.
Hannah Jacobs’ death is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of food allergies and the need for continued vigilance and awareness. While Natasha’s Law is a step in the right direction, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect those with food allergies. We must all work together to ensure that food service workers are properly trained, that food labels are accurate and comprehensive, and that customers feel empowered to speak up about their allergies.
