​Tragic Death of Schoolgirl After Allergic Reaction to Costa Hot Chocolate

A 13-year-old girl from Barking, East London, tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a hot chocolate purchased from a Costa Coffee branch. Hannah Jacobs, who had lived with severe allergies to dairy, egg, fish, and wheat since childhood, succumbed to anaphylaxis shortly after consuming the drink, which reportedly contained dairy milk despite her mother's request for a soya-based alternative.

Andrej Shadura, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The incident occurred on 8 February 2023, when Hannah's mother ordered the hot chocolate at a Costa Coffee outlet in Station Parade, Barking, before taking her daughter to a nearby dental appointment. According to the family's legal representative, Leigh Day, the mother had informed the barista of Hannah's dairy allergy. However, after siping the drink in the dental clinic's waiting room, Hannah immediately sensed something was wrong and told her mother that the drink did not contain soya milk.

Realising the gravity of the situation, Hannah's mother sought immediate assistance at a nearby pharmacy, where they administered an EpiPen, an emergency treatment designed to counteract life-threatening allergic reactions by relaxing the airways. Despite these efforts, the young girl's condition deteriorated rapidly. Emergency services were called, and Hannah was rushed to Newham Hospital, where, despite resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced dead at 1 pm.

The inquest into Hannah's death, which began on 12 August at East London Coroner's Court, is expected to last six days. It will delve into the circumstances leading to the fatal reaction, drawing on testimonies from 11 witnesses and expert opinions. The inquest aims to uncover how such a tragedy could occur despite the precautions taken by Hannah's mother.

Hannah's family is represented at the inquest by Michelle Victor, a partner at Leigh Day, alongside senior associate Angela Bruno and solicitor Andrew Jackson, all members of the firm's food safety team. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges individuals with severe allergies face, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to allergen labelling and communication protocols in food service establishments.

In the wake of previous high-profile cases, such as the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse in 2016, the UK government implemented stricter regulations on allergen labelling in 2021. Nevertheless, incidents like Hannah's underscore the need for continued vigilance and improved practices to protect vulnerable individuals from potentially fatal allergic reactions.

According to Allergy UK, approximately ten people in England and Wales die each year from severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. The organisation and other experts stress the critical importance of recognising the symptoms of anaphylaxis early and ensuring that those at risk have immediate access to emergency treatment.

As the inquest continues, it serves as a poignant reminder of the life-threatening dangers that individuals with severe allergies face daily and the critical importance of stringent safety measures within the food industry.