NYC mom suffers severe allergic reaction from tahini cookie at coffee shop
- A mother with a severe sesame allergy suffered anaphylactic shock after eating a tahini chocolate-chip cookie at a coffee shop.
- The barista assured her the cookie was safe despite knowing it contained tahini, which is made from sesame seeds.
- The incident underscores the need for better allergen awareness and labeling in food establishments.
In April, a mother from the Upper West Side experienced a severe allergic reaction after consuming a chocolate-chip cookie containing tahini at Oren's Daily Roast coffee shop. Despite informing the barista of her sesame allergy, she was misinformed that the cookie was safe to eat. The cookie was only labeled as 'chocolate chip,' and the barista did not recognize tahini as a sesame product. This led to the mother going into anaphylactic shock, requiring her to use her EpiPen and seek medical attention. The incident has had lasting effects on the family, with the mother bedridden for several days and continuing to face health issues. Her husband had to take time off work to care for their two young children during this period. The lawsuit filed against the coffee shop claims negligence, stating that the establishment failed to properly inform customers about allergens and did not have clear labeling for the cookie. This case highlights a broader issue regarding food allergen awareness in restaurants, particularly concerning sesame, which is often overlooked. The coffee shop has since updated its menu to indicate that the cookie contains tahini, but the lack of prior labeling raises concerns about the safety of customers with food allergies. Experts emphasize the need for better training for restaurant employees on food allergens and clearer labeling practices to prevent similar incidents in the future. The mother’s experience serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with food allergies and the importance of accurate information in food establishments.