An inquest is set to begin next week to examine the tragic death of 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs from Barking, East London, who passed away after reportedly suffering an allergic reaction to a hot chocolate purchased from Costa Coffee. The inquiry will delve into the circumstances surrounding Hannah’s death, which occurred on February 8 last year, following a suspected anaphylactic reaction.
According to reports, Hannah and her mother had stopped by Costa Coffee on their way to a dentist appointment. Aware of Hannah’s severe dairy intolerance, her mother specifically requested that the drink be made with soy milk. Despite this precaution, the hot chocolate was mistakenly prepared with regular milk. Upon tasting the drink, Hannah immediately recognized the error and experienced acute distress.
In a desperate attempt to save her daughter, Hannah’s mother rushed her to a nearby pharmacy, where an EpiPen was administered to counteract the allergic reaction. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, who transported Hannah to the hospital within minutes, she could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 1 pm.
Hannah had lived with multiple food allergies since childhood, including intolerances to dairy, eggs, fish, and wheat. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2016 case of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a teenager who died from an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a Pret a Manger baguette. Natasha’s death prompted the UK government to introduce “Natasha’s Law” in 2021, which mandates that food businesses clearly label allergens in pre-packaged foods prepared on-site.
Hannah’s tragic death highlights the ongoing risks faced by the 2.4 million people in the UK living with food allergies. Each year, approximately 10 people in Britain die from allergic reactions, and around 5,000 are hospitalized due to severe reactions. The upcoming inquest will seek to determine how this preventable tragedy occurred and what steps can be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future.
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