Southwark (Parliament politics magazine) – 12-year-old schoolgirl Mia-Shay St Hilaire tragically died from a nut allergy after drinking a milkshake at a Southwark cafe in Bermondsey.
Mia-Shay was from Sydenham, which is in southeast London, and had a tree nut allergy.
Her tragic demise is thought to have been triggered by the traces of nuts in her drink.
CCTV footage revealed that Baris Yucel, the cafe’s operator, had neglected to properly clean a blender that was used to create Mia-Shay’s milkshake.
Yucel, 47, accepted six criminal charges in connection with the death of the young girl. He received a 100-hour community order and an £18,000 fine.
What was the response of Mia-Shay’s parents following her tragic death?
According to Mia-Shay’s parents, Adrian and Chanel, the family’s sorrow has only been heightened by the realisation that their daughter’s death was so readily avoidable.
They said, ‘We think of Mia-Shay every day, and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.
We hope this conviction and fine sends a loud message to businesses serving food and drinks across the country of the devastating consequences of failing to take food safety seriously.’
On August 25, 2023, Mia-Shay went to the cafe with her sister and aunt.
She drank a milkshake and experienced a serious allergic reaction.
Mia-Shay was taken to the hospital by ambulance and tragically passed away on August 30, 2024, after five days.
How did the Southwark Council’s food safety experts conduct the inquiry?
The food safety experts at Southwark Council conducted an inquiry and came to the conclusion that the milkshake made for Mia-Shay, who had a tree nut allergy, contained almonds and hazelnuts.
CCTV footage shown to the court revealed that Yucel, the cafe owner, had neglected to thoroughly clean the blender she used to produce her milkshake, and that materials from a prior drink’s creation were still there.
They came to the conclusion that her death could have been prevented.
Children with allergies should feel secure buying food and beverages in hotels and restaurants knowing that laws protecting their lives are being followed, according to Michelle Victor, a lawyer at the legal firm Leigh Day, which represented Mia-Shay’s family.
She said:
‘We are continuing to support Mia-Shay’s family and, while no outcome will ever make up for the loss they have suffered, this criminal prosecution is an important part of their fight to achieve justice for all those suffering with food allergies.
‘Mia-Shay and all other children with allergies should be able to feel safe knowing that businesses serving food and drink adhere to food safety legislation put in place to protect their lives.
‘But unfortunately, far too often we see that this doesn’t happen, which can have tragic consequences such as in this case.’
Cllr Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods at Southwark Council, said: ‘What happened to Mia-Shay is a tragedy and my heart goes out to her family and the people who loved her.
‘This might have been avoided if the operator of the café had followed simple food safety rules, and our officers will continue to work with local businesses to help ensure these are followed by all food outlets in Southwark.’
Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs, founders of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, said:
‘We were devastated to hear of the death of 12-year-old Mia Shay St Hilaire from a severe allergic reaction to a milkshake containing nuts. This is yet another death of a young person from a food allergy that should never have happened. We have met Mia’s parents, and our hearts are broken for them and their terrible loss.
Rules around allergen safety are there to protect people with food allergies and must be taken seriously by all café and food operators. Food allergies are not a choice or preference, but a serious medical condition that can be fatal.
While we welcome the fine and community order imposed on the café operator, we believe they do not reflect the gravity of what happened to Mia.
How many more people must be hospitalized or die before café operators realise these rules are not an optional extra, but essential for keeping their customers safe.’
Southwark Council enforcement inspectors have been visiting the Pop Inn Cafe since Mia-Shay’s death to make sure it complies with new protocols meant to avoid contamination.
The trial for the inquiry regarding Mia-Shay’s death is still scheduled.