A 13-year-old schoolgirl, Hannah Jacobs, tragically died after a suspected severe allergic reaction following the consumption of a hot chocolate at a Costa Coffee in London.
Hannah, who had been intolerant to dairy products, fish, and eggs since she was a toddler, had ordered the drink believing it was made with soya milk.
Hannah’s mother, who had informed the barista of her daughter’s dairy intolerance, ordered the hot chocolate while the family was at a dental practice.
However, after taking a sip of the to-go drink in the waiting room, Hannah realized it contained dairy milk.
Despite immediately seeking help at a nearby pharmacy and administering an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) to counteract the allergic reaction, it was too late.
Hannah, from Barking, east London, died from a suspected anaphylactic reaction on February 8 of last year. Paramedics pronounced her dead at 1 p.m.
An inquest into the incident is scheduled to begin on Monday at East London Coroner’s Court.
The hearing will feature testimony from 11 witnesses and experts as it investigates the circumstances surrounding Hannah’s death.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction in which the immune system overreacts, releasing chemicals like histamines that can cause breathing difficulties, swelling, hives, and a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
While deaths from anaphylaxis are rare, it is estimated that fewer than 10 fatalities occur each year in the UK due to allergic reactions to food.
Approximately 6% of Britons suffer from food allergies, with nuts being among the most common triggers.
Costa Coffee has been approached for comment on the incident.
