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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/29/allergic-reaction-pret-natasha-ednan-laperouse
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| I nearly died because of an allergic reaction. Will we learn from the Pret case? | I nearly died because of an allergic reaction. Will we learn from the Pret case? |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The coroner presiding over the inquest into the death of a 15-year-old girl in July 2016 has determined that the Pret a Manger baguette she ate shortly before she died was inadequately labelled. Despite containing sesame seeds, the packaging for the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette did not flag any potential allergens, leaving her to feel “reassured” that she could eat it safely. Having done so, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse collapsed during her flight to Nice, suffering a cardiac arrest. She died hours later. | The coroner presiding over the inquest into the death of a 15-year-old girl in July 2016 has determined that the Pret a Manger baguette she ate shortly before she died was inadequately labelled. Despite containing sesame seeds, the packaging for the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette did not flag any potential allergens, leaving her to feel “reassured” that she could eat it safely. Having done so, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse collapsed during her flight to Nice, suffering a cardiac arrest. She died hours later. |
| Pret a Manger: Gove to be asked to tighten up food labelling rules after teenager's death | |
| In the year before Natasha died, nine other customers suffered allergic reactions, six of which were linked to similar “artisan baguettes”. The incidents led to warnings about the dangers of not labelling allergens. Yet a year after the teenager’s death, a health officer allegedly found no allergen stickers at the till area during a visit to the same Heathrow branch. | In the year before Natasha died, nine other customers suffered allergic reactions, six of which were linked to similar “artisan baguettes”. The incidents led to warnings about the dangers of not labelling allergens. Yet a year after the teenager’s death, a health officer allegedly found no allergen stickers at the till area during a visit to the same Heathrow branch. |
| For those with life-threatening allergies, the situation will sound frustratingly familiar, and this tragic death only serves to highlight the lack of responsibility around allergens that permeates the food industry. | For those with life-threatening allergies, the situation will sound frustratingly familiar, and this tragic death only serves to highlight the lack of responsibility around allergens that permeates the food industry. |
| In the 20 years to 2012, there was a 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in the UK. Despite its severity and prevalence, restaurants and cafes often lump allergens in with self-imposed dietary restrictions, such as veganism, on labels. | In the 20 years to 2012, there was a 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in the UK. Despite its severity and prevalence, restaurants and cafes often lump allergens in with self-imposed dietary restrictions, such as veganism, on labels. |
| Five years ago, after scouring the menu of a local independent restaurant, I tucked into a veggie burger. An hour later, the entire team at my local walk-in centre was working hard to save my life while the paramedics were en route. I had run in, desperate for help, after recognising the early signs of anaphylaxis. The menu, and the staff, had failed to inform me that the burger I ordered was cooked in peanut oil. Had I not been near a walk-in centre, I’d have been another name on the ever-lengthening list of victims of irresponsible food labelling. | Five years ago, after scouring the menu of a local independent restaurant, I tucked into a veggie burger. An hour later, the entire team at my local walk-in centre was working hard to save my life while the paramedics were en route. I had run in, desperate for help, after recognising the early signs of anaphylaxis. The menu, and the staff, had failed to inform me that the burger I ordered was cooked in peanut oil. Had I not been near a walk-in centre, I’d have been another name on the ever-lengthening list of victims of irresponsible food labelling. |
| Once recovered and released from hospital, I wrote directly to the restaurant and it retrained its staff and changed its menus. However, I continue to be faced with staff at other restaurants who guess that the food is “probably OK” without taking any steps to check. I’m often forced to pick my way through shelves of poorly labelled products or menus with no allergen information at all. My safety is left entirely in my own hands and every meal comes with a “may contain” caveat. | Once recovered and released from hospital, I wrote directly to the restaurant and it retrained its staff and changed its menus. However, I continue to be faced with staff at other restaurants who guess that the food is “probably OK” without taking any steps to check. I’m often forced to pick my way through shelves of poorly labelled products or menus with no allergen information at all. My safety is left entirely in my own hands and every meal comes with a “may contain” caveat. |
| As with the majority of allergy sufferers, I’m diligent in reading every single label and questioning ambiguous items on the menu. But if the information isn’t there, I’m at the mercy of the manufacturers. The rules around indicating the 14 listed allergens must be implemented. | As with the majority of allergy sufferers, I’m diligent in reading every single label and questioning ambiguous items on the menu. But if the information isn’t there, I’m at the mercy of the manufacturers. The rules around indicating the 14 listed allergens must be implemented. |
| Having survived two instances of anaphylaxis, the threat of a reaction inhibits my lifestyle. Trying out a new restaurant is an exercise in hours of research, and a deep-seated panic inevitably takes hold after the first few mouthfuls, even when I have taken every safety precaution possible. I daren’t eat unless I’m armed with my two EpiPens – and impromptu food stops are almost always an impossibility. It’s simply not worth the risk. | Having survived two instances of anaphylaxis, the threat of a reaction inhibits my lifestyle. Trying out a new restaurant is an exercise in hours of research, and a deep-seated panic inevitably takes hold after the first few mouthfuls, even when I have taken every safety precaution possible. I daren’t eat unless I’m armed with my two EpiPens – and impromptu food stops are almost always an impossibility. It’s simply not worth the risk. |
| This doesn’t come down to taste or a fussy palate. It’s a matter of life and death, and I shouldn’t have to live in fear of others’ irresponsibility. | This doesn’t come down to taste or a fussy palate. It’s a matter of life and death, and I shouldn’t have to live in fear of others’ irresponsibility. |
| Speaking after the coroner voiced his findings, Natasha’s father, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, said the inquest should “serve as a watershed moment to make meaningful change and save people’s lives”. It’s time to tighten up the rules, label all food, provide staff with comprehensive training and stop gambling with lives. | Speaking after the coroner voiced his findings, Natasha’s father, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, said the inquest should “serve as a watershed moment to make meaningful change and save people’s lives”. It’s time to tighten up the rules, label all food, provide staff with comprehensive training and stop gambling with lives. |
| • Sophie Benson is a freelance writer | • Sophie Benson is a freelance writer |
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