Abimbola Duyile, the mother of 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs who tragically passed away after having a severe allergic reaction to a Costa hot chocolate, has spoken out against the food industry’s approach to allergen safety training. The coroner’s court concluded that Hannah’s death was a result of the coffee shop staff’s failure to adhere to allergy protocols and communicate effectively with her mother.
Hannah, who had allergies to dairy, fish, and eggs, had a fatal reaction to the hot chocolate, which was supposed to be made with soya milk. The coroner highlighted the lack of adherence to allergy protocols and communication as key factors in Hannah’s passing. Abimbola Duyile expressed her dismay at the lack of seriousness given to allergy training in the food service industry and medical profession.
She emphasised the need for better awareness of anaphylaxis symptoms and criticised the practice of treating allergy training as a mere formality. The inquest revealed that Costa staff underwent online training modules that could be completed at home, with some employees struggling to pass the required quiz. There were also language barriers that hindered effective communication between staff and customers.
Faton Abrashi, a regional operations manager for Costa Coffee, confirmed that baristas were only allowed to serve customers with allergies if they had completed specific training. However, there was no requirement for the training to be completed in the presence of colleagues, and the online modules were only available in English.
The coroner noted that neither Hannah nor her mother had an epi-pen with them on the day of the incident, despite it being prescribed. The post-mortem examination revealed that Hannah’s death was due to a hypersensitive anaphylactic reaction triggered by an ingredient in the hot chocolate.
Abimbola Duyile described her daughter as vibrant, caring, and full of life, emphasizing that she had always been diligent in managing Hannah’s allergies. Holding a framed photograph of Hannah, she tearfully expressed her grief and the devastating loss of her daughter.
The Department of Health has been approached for comment on this tragic incident. The case highlights the importance of proper allergen safety training in the food industry and the need for improved communication and awareness surrounding allergies. It serves as a reminder of the potentially life-threatening consequences of not taking allergies seriously.
