Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Sparks Calls for Improved Allergy Training in Food Industry

The death of 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after consuming a Costa Coffee hot chocolate, has ignited urgent calls for enhanced allergen training within the food industry. Hannah, who had a severe dairy allergy, died shortly after drinking the beverage, which was mistakenly made with regular milk instead of soya. An inquest revealed a significant "failure of communication" between the coffee shop staff and Hannah's mother, Abimbola Duyile, highlighting systemic issues in allergen management. Hannah's mother criticized the food industry for treating allergen training as a mere "tick-box exercise." She emphasized that while companies like Costa aim to ensure customer safety, the current training protocols are inadequate. The inquest found that the allergen training for new staff involved online modules and quizzes, which may not effectively prepare employees for real-life scenarios involving food allergies. Duyile's statements reflect a broader concern that the food service sector is not taking allergy training seriously enough. Experts and bereaved families are advocating for government action, including the appointment of an "Allergy Tsar" to oversee allergy management and improve public awareness. They argue that a national leader is essential to address the rising number of allergic reactions, which result in approximately ten deaths annually in the UK. The coalition of families affected by food allergies is urging the government to prioritize this issue and implement necessary reforms to prevent future tragedies. As the community mourns Hannah's loss, her mother has called for a collective effort to enhance allergen safety in the food industry, stressing the need for comprehensive education and training to protect individuals with food allergies.