Costa's 'allergy failure' led to death of girl, 13

Tragic teen's mum calls for staff to have better training

- Frances Millar

THE mother of a teenage girl who died after having a severe reaction to a Costa hot chocolate has said allergen safety training should not be treated as a "tick-box exercise".

Hannah Jacobs, 13, who was allergic to dairy products, died within hours of taking one sip of the drink on February 8, 2023, East London Coroner's Court was told.

The schoolgirl, from Barking, was also allergic to fish and eggs and suffered an "immediate reaction" to the drink served at Costa, Station Parade, Barking. It was supposed to be made with soya milk, the inquest heard.