A 13-year-old girl died after consuming a hot chocolate made with cow’s milk at a Costa Coffee shop, prompting an inquest to highlight the tragic consequences of miscommunication regarding allergy protocols.
Hannah Jacobs, who was severely allergic to dairy, fish, and eggs, suffered a fatal reaction shortly after taking a sip of her drink.
The inquest, led by Assistant Coroner Dr. Shirley Radcliffe, revealed a critical failure in communication between Costa Coffee staff and Hannah’s mother, Abimbola Duyile.
Despite Ms. Duyile specifically informing the barista about her daughter’s dairy allergy, the staff failed to adhere to established protocols designed to protect customers with dietary restrictions.
Ms. Duyile recounted the harrowing moment when Hannah, after taking her first sip of the drink while waiting at a nearby dentist, exclaimed that the hot chocolate was “not soya milk.” Hannah’s condition rapidly deteriorated, leading her mother to rush her to a local chemist for emergency assistance.
Despite attempts to resuscitate her and the administration of an EpiPen, Hannah was pronounced dead at the hospital by 1 pm.
The inquest revealed that the barista, Urmi Akter, misunderstood the instructions concerning Hannah’s allergy. Ms. Akter testified that while Hannah’s mother had requested the jug be washed before preparing the drinks, she neglected to show the allergy guide, which could have clarified any misunderstandings.
According to company policy, staff are required to refer to this guide whenever a customer presents an allergy issue.
Dr. Radcliffe emphasized the significance of the training staff receive regarding allergies, pointing out that the failure to properly communicate about the dairy allergy was a fundamental error that contributed to Hannah’s death.
As the court proceedings unfolded, critical questions were raised about the adequacy of training provided to the staff and the importance of confirming the specifics of dietary needs with customers.
The family’s representative, Emily Slocombe, highlighted that a simple consultation regarding the allergy could have potentially changed the outcome of this tragic incident.
