A 13-year-old girl with a severe dairy allergy died after drinking a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee that she believed was made with soya milk. Hannah Jacobs, from Barking in east London, had picked up the takeaway drink with her mother on the way to a dentist appointment on Feb 8, 2023. The schoolgirl and her family had known of her intolerance to dairy, egg, fish and wheat since she was a toddler and had navigated the risks throughout her life. Her mother ordered the drink and informed the barista of Hannah’s dairy allergy, according to Leigh Day solicitors. Concerns about the contents of the drink began after Hannah started to sip it in the dentist’s waiting room and suspected it was made with dairy rather than soya. They sought help from a nearby pharmacy where Hannah was given an EpiPen to self-administer, which helps to relax the muscles in the airways and combat allergic reactions, buying time for further help to arrive. An ambulance crew made its way to the scene shortly afterwards and attempted to save her life through resuscitation, but she was pronounced dead at 1pm. She had suffered a suspected severe anaphylactic reaction to the hot chocolate drink. An inquest into her death will begin at East London Coroner’s Court on Aug 12 and will attempt to establish the circumstances that led to her death. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that comes on very suddenly once triggered. Experts say about 10 people die from anaphylactic shock every year as the result of an allergic reaction each year. A dairy allergy is the most common in children, with about one in 50 children allergic to cows’ milk in the developed world, according to Allergy UK. Hannah’s death follows the case of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a baguette from Pret a Manger. In response, the government announced the introduction of stricter laws aimed at safeguarding allergy sufferers. Natasha’s Law came into force in 2021 and requires all food businesses to provide full ingredient lists and clear allergen labelling on pre-packaged foods made on the premises for direct sale. It had previously been sufficient for stores to have general allergen warnings posted around the shop rather than on individual items made in-store. Food businesses could face financial penalties if they fail to comply with the regulation, according to the Food Standards Agency. Costa Coffee has been approached for comment. ## Inquest Into Tragic Death ## An inquest into the death of 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs will begin next week to explore the circumstances of a suspected allergic reaction to a Costa Coffee drink. Hannah, from Barking in East London, died on February 8 last year after a suspected anaphylactic reaction to a hot chocolate drink. Her mother ordered Hannah and herself a hot chocolate from their local Costa before heading to a dentist appointment. Hannah had severe allergies to dairy, egg, fish and wheat, which had been diagnosed as a toddler and the family had managed this well throughout her life. According to the legal firm Leigh Day Hannah's mother informed the barista of her daughter's dairy allergy. But when Hannah took a sip of the drink in the waiting room of the dental practice, she immediately told her mother the drink hadn't been made with soy milk. The pair then rushed to nearby pharmacy to ask for help where staff gave Hannah an EpipPen, an emergency treatment designed to combat a life threatening allergic reaction. But, despite this and an ambulance crew arriving shortly afterward to take her to hospital, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Hannah was declared dead at 1pm that day. The inquest will be held at East London Coroner’s Court on Monday. It is expected to last a week and will examine how Hannah died through the testimony of 11 witnesses and experts. Costa Coffee has been approached for comment. ## The Impact of Food Allergies Experts estimate that 10 Brits die from an allergic reaction to food each year, with 5,000 people hospitalised for severe reactions. Latest Government figures suggest around 2.4million adults are living with a food allergy in the UK, with hospital admissions for severe reactions more than tripling within the last 20 years. Allergies can provoke a variety of symptoms but the most serious is a dangerous inflammation of the airways called anaphylaxis. This can make it hard and even impossible to breath and can cause the body to go into a cardiac emergency like a cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen. Children with allergies are considered to be especially at risk from severe reactions as, due to their smaller body size, small amounts of allergens provoke bigger reactions. Allergies are also often discovered in childhood meaning parents may not have an emergency injection to hand if an allergic reaction occurs. Bereaved families of those who have lost children to allergic reactions have repeatedly called for the Government to appoint an allergy tsar to improve NHS services and awareness of allergies, to prevent avoidable ill health and death. Recently more than 50 campaigners and experts including ex-Towie star Megan McKenna and Love Island's Jack Fowler, said the country wasn't doing enough to support the millions of Brits living with allergies. In the open letter, the coalition said the lack of a national leader for allergies has been raised 'time and time again by coroners at the inquests' of those who have died following severe reactions, including from products they thought were safe. Yet of the 45 such leaders appointed by NHS England, who cover issues ranging from obesity to autism, not one is dedicated to supporting people living with allergies. ## Natasha's Law The issue of allergies, and the danger they pose to children, have been in the spotlight since the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Her father was forced to watch helplessly as the 15-year-old died after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret sandwich while on a flight from Nice. The artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette sandwich was later discovered to have hidden amount of sesame seeds which weren't declared on the packet. Natasha was allergic to nuts. Speaking to MailOnline, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, co-founders of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK's food allergy charity, said: 'We were devastated to hear of the death of Hannah Jacobs from a suspected anaphylactic reaction to milk, and have been supporting her family over the last year. 'This is a complex case, involving a number of different parties, so it is vital that the circumstances surrounding Hannah's death are fully investigated at the inquest next week. 'The death of yet another child with food allergy underlines the severity of this serious medical condition, and the steps we all need to take – individuals, companies and the Government - to keep people with food allergies safe.' ## What is Anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock, can kill within minutes. It is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger, such as an allergy. The reaction can often be triggered by certain foods, including peanuts and shellfish. However, some medicines, bee stings, and even latex used in condoms can also cause the life-threatening reaction. According to the NHS, it occurs when the immune system overreacts to a trigger. Symptoms include: * feeling lightheaded or faint * breathing difficulties – such as fast, shallow breathing * wheezing * a fast heartbeat * clammy skin * confusion and anxiety * collapsing or losing consciousness It is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Insect stings are not dangerous for most victims but a person does not necessarily have to have a pre-existing condition to be in danger. An incremental build-up of stings can cause a person to develop an allergy, with a subsequent sting triggering the anaphylactic reaction.