A schoolgirl who suffered an allergic reaction to a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee died because of staff failure to follow allergy policies, an inquest has concluded.
Hannah Jacobs, 13, who had a severe dairy allergy, died on February 8, 2023, hours after being served a drink made with cow’s milk at a branch in Barking, east London.
Her family have criticised “tick-box” allergy training in the food industry after the conclusion of the inquest.
Hannah died after sipping a hot chocolate served at a Costa branch in east London
LEIGH DAY
East London coroner’s court heard that there had been a “miscommunication” between Hannah’s mother, Abimbola Duyile, who said that she ordered the drink with soya milk, and Costa Coffee employees, who made the drink with cow’s milk.
Dr Shirley Radcliffe, the assistant coroner, said: “Hannah was served a dairy