Latest news with #EpiPen
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Winter Park mother and son celebrate EpiPen training bill becoming law
The Winter Park mom who spearheaded a bill to train school staffers to treat severe allergic reactions was thrilled when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law Wednesday — and so was her 8-year-old son, her motivation to activism. 'He was super ecstatic,' said Sherry Isler of her son, Lincoln. 'We're still on cloud nine. It's very surreal to us. We've been so hopeful, and we worked so hard with so many people to create this bill. So, yeah, I'm still crying intermittently throughout the day.' The bill, sponsored by Orlando Democrats Rita Harris in the state House and Carlos Guillermo Smith in the Senate, is aimed at the peril of anaphylactic shock, a potentially fatal reaction to foods or other allergens that can be treated simply and effectively by injections of epinephrine through a device called an EpiPen, assuming the devices are available and someone knows how to use them. Lincoln is allergic to dairy, peas, chickpeas and lentils. His mother started her crusade when she learned there was staff on Lincoln's campus available to administer in EpiPen in an emergency during the school day — but that might not be true if her son attended an after-school program. Under the new law, Florida schools must train employees and contract staff working with pre-kindergarten-to-eighth-grade students to recognize the signs of anaphylactic shock and use EpiPens. They also must have a trained person available at all times when the students are on campus or participating in school activities, including extracurricular events, athletics, school dances, and contracted before-school or after-school programs. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers. DeSantis' signature means it will become law July 1. 'We know that this law is going to save lives as a result,' Smith said. 'It's a real common sense kind of bill,' said Harris, adding that Republican state Rep. Jessica Baker of Jacksonville was the co-sponsor. 'She said, 'I have a constituent in my district who has a child who has severe food allergies, and she wants to see this bill passed. How can I help you?'' Isler originally reached out to Harris in 2023, after she asked the third-party vendor that ran Lincoln's before- and after-school programs at Aloma Elementary School about their allergic reaction policy and received some unwelcome news. 'I was told, 'Oh no, we don't do EpiPens here. We would just call 911,' and I panicked,' she said. 'I told them that would be too late, he would be dead by the time an ambulance arrived, because his reaction is his airway, his throat would close up. And she just told me that she was sorry.' Marsha Robbins, then the director of programs for that vendor, Dramatic Education, later claimed there was a miscommunication and that all of her staff were trained. But Isler heard from another parent in Orange County who had been told that after-school staff could not give details about how EpiPens would be stored or administered. About two students in every classroom are likely to have food allergies, Isler said. Children have died of anaphylaxis in schools in Nebraska in 2022 and at after-school events in California and Jacksonville in 2023. Orange County Public Schools updated their third-party contracts in 2023 to ensure that at least two staff members are trained to use EpiPens. A similar bill filed by Wilson and then-state Sen. Linda Stewart failed to move forward in the 2024 legislative session, due to what Wilson said were concerns about what it would mean for high schools. This year, the bill only applied to K-8 schools. 'We changed it a little bit,' Harris said. 'And I think also Ms. Isler going up to Tallahassee and talking to the committee chairs and explaining why this is needed, and bringing her son with her, really helped.' Both Lincoln and his sister Liberty, now 6, spoke before a Senate committee last spring, just after the new bill was filed. Even with the bill signed, 'we still have more work to do,' Smith said. 'Our hope is to expand this to 12th grade after we have seen a smooth implementation of the law.' Isler said she also hopes to one day include high schools as part of mandatory EpiPen training. 'That was my original goal,' Isler said. 'My understanding was that there were some stakeholders who saw some potential difficulties with the bill as it is, in regards to liability, and that high school has a lot of more before- and after-school activities. And they believe that high schoolers should be able to carry and administer their own EpiPens.' But she worries most high school students may not realize they would now be on their own. 'Students in K through 8 will have these protections and safety net,' Isler said. 'And then who's going to tell them when they get to high school that all of a sudden it's not there?'
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Mum's warning after daughter, 20, with severe peanut allergy died from eating a ‘couple of mouthfuls' of ready meal
The emotional parent told how she rushed to find her daughter after a frantic phone call MUM'S PAIN Mum's warning after daughter, 20, with severe peanut allergy died from eating a 'couple of mouthfuls' of ready meal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HEARTBROKEN mum has issued an urgent warning after her daughter, 20, died after eating a few mouthfuls of a ready meal. Jess North, who had a severe peanut allergy, tragically died from an anaphylactic reaction on May 9, 2021. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Jess North died after eating just "a couple of mouthfuls" of a ready meal containing nuts Credit: Instagram / @northymax1965 5 The 20-year-old was on her way to meet a friend when tragedy struck Credit: Instagram / @northymax1965 5 Jess was rushed to hospital where she spent three days on life support Credit: Copyright(2014): Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how she was preparing a Sunday roast when Jess decided she wanted something different. The youngster opted for a frozen sweet potato dish and said she had "had it before". Jess assumed she would be fine eating the ready meal, as she had done previously, despite the fact it did contain nuts. Maxine told The Argus her daughter had only consumed "a couple of mouthfuls" before ditching her plate. She was going out to meet a pal and kissed her parents goodbye before jumping in her car. "Within 10 minutes I received a phone call from Jess saying that she was having difficulty breathing," said Maxine. "The fear in her voice triggered something inside me and I knew that she was having an allergic reaction. "She was near Arundel on the A27, so I told her to pull over and administer her EpiPen, something she had never done before, but she knew how to use it. " The emotional parent told how she rushed with her husband to find their daughter. Meanwhile a passerby had seen Jess struggling at the roadside and thought she was having an asthma attack. My son texted me a picture of a snack he was enjoying… then his phone went silent – he'll never be the same again They gave her an inhaler before realising the 20-year-old was signalling for her EpiPen. "She was disoriented so the person took charge of the EpiPen and administered it into Jess' arm when in fact it should have gone into her thigh," continued Maxine. Paramedics eventually transported Jess to St Richards hospital in Chichester. After three days on life support, an MRI scan was performed and doctors told her family they wouldn't be able to assess damage until she woke up. The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later. Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening. In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly. Mild to moderate symptoms include: Itchy mouth, tongue and throat Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea Runny nose and sneezing Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Swelling of your throat and tongue Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing Feeling tired or confused Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting Skin that feels cold to the touch Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction: Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector. Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction. Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side). If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector. Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better. Sources: Allergy UK, NHS They tried to bring Jess off life support the following day, but the youngster showed no signs of becoming responsive. A further MRI scan tragically determined there was no brain activity. "I can't remember much from that point, all I knew was my beautiful baby had gone and our life had changed forever," said Maxine. The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens. After Jess' death, the family discovered she had a junior Epipen, instead of an adult one. Maxine's campaign has already seen her own GP start sending reminder alerts to patients with severe allergies. She has also been raising money for The Natasha Allergy Foundation, known as NARFS, which was set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Natasha, 15, who was allergic to sesame, tragically died in 2016 after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing the ingredient. Maxine will be completing a charity abseil down Peacehaven Cliffs in July. Donations will be put towards funding for Kitt Medical Devices with life-saving anaphylaxis treatment in schools and public places. A link to Maxine's GoFundMe can be found here. This comes after a traumatised mum told how her allergic son texted a picture of the snack he was enjoying before his phone went silent forever. George Cadman-Ithell sent a haunting message to his mum, Louise Cadman, with a picture of the cured sausages and wrote "these are nice". But just three minutes later, the 25-year-old sent a panicked text which read: "F***, they contain walnuts". Louise replied: "You've not eaten any have you?" to which her son said: "Yes". George hadn't spotted the "aux noix" labelling on the salami packaging, which also stated "with walnuts" in English. The young man had run home from the shops in just under 10 minutes, and husband Joe Nolan had administered an EpiPen. But tragically George went into cardiac arrest and his brain was starved of oxygen for 26 minutes, causing severe brain damage. He remains in a vegetative state at a rehabilitation unit at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, North West London. Elsewhere, a 12-year-old schoolgirl died suddenly after drinking a milkshake and her heartbroken family paid tribute. Mia Shay St Hilaire suffered a severe allergic reaction after visiting Pop Inn Café, in Bermondsey, London, with her aunt and sister in August 2023. The young girl, who had a tree nut allergy, was rushed to hospital after ingesting the contaminated drink but tragically died. Mia's devastated parents, Adrian and Chanel said: "We think of Mia every day and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.' Southwark Council's food and safety team discovered the blender used to make the 12-year-old's milkshake had not been cleaned properly. An investigation found traces of almonds and hazelnuts in the machine from a previous drink. CCTV evidence showed the café operator, Baris Yucel, failing to clean the blender before preparing Mia's beverage. He was given a 100-hour community order and fined £18,000. Natasha's Law By Ben Griffiths THE family of an allergy sufferer who died after eating a poorly-labelled Pret sandwich on a BA jet have told how they have forgiven the high street giant. Grieving Nad and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, whose daughter Natasha died in 2016, have even praised the sandwich chain for leading the way in implementing new packaging rules. Natasha's Law - named after the 15-year-old - requires businesses to list every ingredient on pre-packaged food. In an exclusive interview, the family spoke of their "great pride" at getting the historic new regulations in place. They mean an item like the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette, which Natasha died after eating, will now have to list all 34 ingredients - instead of the THREE it displayed five years ago. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Tanya, who with Nad has won an OBE for her work in getting the law passed, said: "I know that Natasha would be ever so pleased this law is coming into force and we've managed to get it passed. "You can't do anything if you are filled with hate so we have forgiven Pret. It doesn't make up for the fact she is not here now but Pret have actually led the way on changing their packaging. "They've spent millions getting their packaging in line and educating staff on allergies. "The new law means tens of millions of sandwiches across the UK will now have to detail everything it contains from the small trace of ingredients." Natasha was on her way to Nice, in France, for a summer holiday with Nad and her best friend Bethany Holloway in July 2016 when she bought the baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow Airport. It contained hidden sesame seeds, something she was allergic to but the ingredient was not labelled on the packet. Shortly after take-off, Natasha had a reaction. Nad rushed her to the toilet and gave her two shots of adrenaline from her EpiPens which he expected would fight off the reaction. Her last words were 'I can't breathe, I'm suffocating, help me Daddy', before she suffered a fatal heart attack. An inquest in 2018 into Natasha's death blasted Pret for its 'inadequate' labelling and fault in Natasha's death, making the company vow to make a 'meaningful change'. Nad and Tanya launch their mission to get a law changed after the inquest. It now means any fresh item prepared on the premises of sale will now have to list every ingredient it contains. To visit the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation go to 5 Jess had eaten the dish before and said she was fine Credit: Instagram / @northymax1965
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mum's warning after daughter, 20, with severe peanut allergy died from eating a ‘couple of mouthfuls' of ready meal
A HEARTBROKEN mum has issued an urgent warning after her daughter, 20, died after eating a few mouthfuls of a ready meal. Jess North, who had a severe peanut allergy, tragically died from an anaphylactic reaction on May 9, 2021. 5 5 5 Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how she was preparing a Sunday roast when Jess decided she wanted something different. The youngster opted for a frozen sweet potato dish and said she had "had it before". Jess assumed she would be fine eating the ready meal, as she had done previously, despite the fact it did contain nuts. Maxine told The Argus her daughter had only consumed "a couple of mouthfuls" before ditching her plate. She was going out to meet a pal and kissed her parents goodbye before jumping in her car. "Within 10 minutes I received a phone call from Jess saying that she was having difficulty breathing," said Maxine. "The fear in her voice triggered something inside me and I knew that she was having an allergic reaction. "She was near Arundel on the A27, so I told her to pull over and administer her EpiPen, something she had never done before, but she knew how to use it. " The emotional parent told how she rushed with her husband to find their daughter. Meanwhile a passerby had seen Jess struggling at the roadside and thought she was having an asthma attack. My son texted me a picture of a snack he was enjoying… then his phone went silent – he'll never be the same again They gave her an inhaler before realising the 20-year-old was signalling for her EpiPen. "She was disoriented so the person took charge of the EpiPen and administered it into Jess' arm when in fact it should have gone into her thigh," continued Maxine. Paramedics eventually transported Jess to St Richards hospital in Chichester. After three days on life support, an MRI scan was performed and doctors told her family they wouldn't be able to assess damage until she woke up. The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later. Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening. In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly. Mild to moderate symptoms include: Itchy mouth, tongue and throat Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea Runny nose and sneezing Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Swelling of your throat and tongue Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing Feeling tired or confused Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting Skin that feels cold to the touch Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction: Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector. Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction. Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side). If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector. Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better. Sources: Allergy UK, NHS They tried to bring Jess off life support the following day, but the youngster showed no signs of becoming responsive. A further MRI scan tragically determined there was no brain activity. "I can't remember much from that point, all I knew was my beautiful baby had gone and our life had changed forever," said Maxine. The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens. After Jess' death, the family discovered she had a junior Epipen, instead of an adult one. Maxine's campaign has already seen her own GP start sending reminder alerts to patients with severe allergies. She has also been raising money for The Natasha Allergy Foundation, known as NARFS, which was set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Natasha, 15, who was allergic to sesame, tragically died in 2016 after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing the ingredient. Maxine will be completing a charity abseil down Peacehaven Cliffs in July. Donations will be put towards funding for Kitt Medical Devices with life-saving anaphylaxis treatment in schools and public places. A link to Maxine's GoFundMe can be found here. This comes after a traumatised mum told how her allergic son texted a picture of the snack he was enjoying before his phone went silent forever. George Cadman-Ithell sent a haunting message to his mum, Louise Cadman, with a picture of the cured sausages and wrote "these are nice". But just three minutes later, the 25-year-old sent a panicked text which read: "F***, they contain walnuts". Louise replied: "You've not eaten any have you?" to which her son said: "Yes". George hadn't spotted the "aux noix" labelling on the salami packaging, which also stated "with walnuts" in English. The young man had run home from the shops in just under 10 minutes, and husband Joe Nolan had administered an EpiPen. But tragically George went into cardiac arrest and his brain was starved of oxygen for 26 minutes, causing severe brain damage. He remains in a vegetative state at a rehabilitation unit at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, North West London. Elsewhere, a 12-year-old schoolgirl died suddenly after drinking a milkshake and her heartbroken family paid tribute. Mia Shay St Hilaire suffered a severe allergic reaction after visiting Pop Inn Café, in Bermondsey, London, with her aunt and sister in August 2023. The young girl, who had a tree nut allergy, was rushed to hospital after ingesting the contaminated drink but tragically died. Mia's devastated parents, Adrian and Chanel said: "We think of Mia every day and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.' Southwark Council's food and safety team discovered the blender used to make the 12-year-old's milkshake had not been cleaned properly. An investigation found traces of almonds and hazelnuts in the machine from a previous drink. CCTV evidence showed the café operator, Baris Yucel, failing to clean the blender before preparing Mia's beverage. He was given a 100-hour community order and fined £18,000. Natasha's Law By Ben Griffiths THE family of an allergy sufferer who died after eating a poorly-labelled Pret sandwich on a BA jet have told how they have forgiven the high street giant. Grieving Nad and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, whose daughter Natasha died in 2016, have even praised the sandwich chain for leading the way in implementing new packaging rules. Natasha's Law - named after the 15-year-old - requires businesses to list every ingredient on pre-packaged food. In an exclusive interview, the family spoke of their "great pride" at getting the historic new regulations in place. They mean an item like the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette, which Natasha died after eating, will now have to list all 34 ingredients - instead of the THREE it displayed five years ago. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Tanya, who with Nad has won an OBE for her work in getting the law passed, said: "I know that Natasha would be ever so pleased this law is coming into force and we've managed to get it passed. "You can't do anything if you are filled with hate so we have forgiven Pret. It doesn't make up for the fact she is not here now but Pret have actually led the way on changing their packaging. "They've spent millions getting their packaging in line and educating staff on allergies. "The new law means tens of millions of sandwiches across the UK will now have to detail everything it contains from the small trace of ingredients." Natasha was on her way to Nice, in France, for a summer holiday with Nad and her best friend Bethany Holloway in July 2016 when she bought the baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow Airport. It contained hidden sesame seeds, something she was allergic to but the ingredient was not labelled on the packet. Shortly after take-off, Natasha had a reaction. Nad rushed her to the toilet and gave her two shots of adrenaline from her EpiPens which he expected would fight off the reaction. Her last words were 'I can't breathe, I'm suffocating, help me Daddy', before she suffered a fatal heart attack. An inquest in 2018 into Natasha's death blasted Pret for its 'inadequate' labelling and fault in Natasha's death, making the company vow to make a 'meaningful change'. Nad and Tanya launch their mission to get a law changed after the inquest. It now means any fresh item prepared on the premises of sale will now have to list every ingredient it contains. To visit the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation go to 5 5
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Mum's warning after daughter, 20, with severe peanut allergy died from eating a ‘couple of mouthfuls' of ready meal
A HEARTBROKEN mum has issued an urgent warning after her daughter, 20, died after eating a few mouthfuls of a ready meal. Jess North, who had a severe 5 Jess North died after eating just "a couple of mouthfuls" of a ready meal containing nuts Credit: Instagram / @northymax1965 5 The 20-year-old was on her way to meet a friend when tragedy struck Credit: Instagram / @northymax1965 5 Jess was rushed to hospital where she spent three days on life support Credit: Copyright(2014): Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how she was preparing a Sunday roast when Jess decided she wanted something different. The youngster opted for a frozen sweet potato dish and said she had "had it before". Jess assumed she would be fine eating the ready meal, as she had done previously, despite the fact it did contain nuts. Maxine told Read More She was going out to meet a pal and kissed her parents goodbye before jumping in her car. "Within 10 minutes I received a phone call from Jess saying that she was having difficulty breathing," said Maxine. "The fear in her voice triggered something inside me and I knew that she was having an allergic reaction. "She was near Arundel on the A27, so I told her to pull over and administer her EpiPen, something she had never done before, but she knew how to use it. " Most read in Health The emotional parent told how she rushed with her husband to find their daughter. Meanwhile a passerby had seen Jess struggling at the roadside and thought she was having an asthma attack. My son texted me a picture of a snack he was enjoying… then his phone went silent – he'll never be the same again They gave her an inhaler before realising the 20-year-old was signalling for her EpiPen. "She was disoriented so the person took charge of the EpiPen and administered it into Jess' arm when in fact it should have gone into her thigh," continued Maxine. Paramedics eventually transported Jess to St Richards hospital in Chichester. After three days on life support, an MRI scan was performed and doctors told her family they wouldn't be able to assess damage until she woke up. The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later. Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening. In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly. Mild to moderate symptoms include: Itchy mouth, tongue and throat Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea Runny nose and sneezing Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Swelling of your throat and tongue Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing Feeling tired or confused Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting Skin that feels cold to the touch Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction: Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector. Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction. Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side). If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector. Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better. Sources: Allergy UK, NHS They tried to bring Jess off life support the following day, but the youngster showed no signs of becoming responsive. A further MRI scan tragically determined there was no brain activity. "I can't remember much from that point, all I knew was my beautiful baby had gone and our life had changed forever," said Maxine. The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens. After Jess' death, the family discovered she had a junior Epipen, instead of an adult one. Maxine's campaign has already seen her own GP start sending reminder alerts to patients with severe allergies. She has also been raising money for The Natasha Allergy Foundation, known as NARFS, which was set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Maxine will be completing a charity abseil down Peacehaven Cliffs in July. Donations will be put towards funding for Kitt Medical Devices with life-saving anaphylaxis treatment in schools and public places. A link to Maxine's GoFundMe can be found This comes after a traumatised mum told how her allergic son texted a picture of the snack he was enjoying George Cadman-Ithell sent a haunting message to his mum, Louise Cadman, with a picture of the cured sausages and wrote "these are nice". But just three minutes later, the 25-year-old sent a panicked text which read: "F***, they contain walnuts". Louise replied: "You've not eaten any have you?" to which her son said: "Yes". George hadn't spotted the "aux noix" labelling on the salami packaging, which also stated "with walnuts" in English. The young man had run home from the shops in just under 10 minutes, and husband Joe Nolan had administered an EpiPen. But tragically George went into cardiac arrest and his brain was starved of oxygen for 26 minutes, causing severe brain damage. He remains in a vegetative state at a rehabilitation unit at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, North West London. Elsewhere, a 12-year-old Mia Shay St Hilaire suffered a severe allergic reaction after visiting Pop Inn Café, in Bermondsey, London, with her aunt and sister in August 2023. The young girl, who had a tree nut allergy, was rushed to hospital after ingesting the contaminated drink but tragically died. Mia's devastated parents, Adrian and Chanel said: "We think of Mia every day and knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply, only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family.' Southwark Council's food and safety team discovered the blender used to make the 12-year-old's milkshake had not been cleaned properly. An investigation found traces of almonds and hazelnuts in the machine from a previous drink. CCTV evidence showed the café operator, Baris Yucel, failing to clean the blender before preparing Mia's beverage. He was given a 100-hour community order and fined £18,000. Natasha's Law By Ben Griffiths THE family of an allergy sufferer who died after eating a poorly-labelled Pret sandwich on a BA jet have told how they have forgiven the high street giant. Grieving Nad and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, whose daughter Natasha died in 2016, have even praised the sandwich chain for leading the way in implementing new packaging rules. Natasha's Law - named after the 15-year-old - requires businesses to list every ingredient on pre-packaged food. In an exclusive interview, the family spoke of their "great pride" at getting the historic new regulations in place. They mean an item like the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette, which Natasha died after eating, will now have to list all 34 ingredients - instead of the THREE it displayed five years ago. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Tanya, who with Nad has won an OBE for her work in getting the law passed, said: "I know that Natasha would be ever so pleased this law is coming into force and we've managed to get it passed. "You can't do anything if you are filled with hate so we have forgiven Pret. It doesn't make up for the fact she is not here now but Pret have actually led the way on changing their packaging. "They've spent millions getting their packaging in line and educating staff on allergies. "The new law means tens of millions of sandwiches across the UK will now have to detail everything it contains from the small trace of ingredients." Natasha was on her way to Nice, in France, for a summer holiday with Nad and her best friend Bethany Holloway in July 2016 when she bought the baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow Airport. It contained hidden sesame seeds, something she was allergic to but the ingredient was not labelled on the packet. Shortly after take-off, Natasha had a reaction. Nad rushed her to the toilet and gave her two shots of adrenaline from her EpiPens which he expected would fight off the reaction. Her last words were 'I can't breathe, I'm suffocating, help me Daddy', before she suffered a fatal heart attack. An inquest in 2018 into Natasha's death blasted Pret for its 'inadequate' labelling and fault in Natasha's death, making the company vow to make a 'meaningful change'. Nad and Tanya launch their mission to get a law changed after the inquest. It now means any fresh item prepared on the premises of sale will now have to list every ingredient it contains. To visit the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation go to 5 Jess had eaten the dish before and said she was fine Credit: Instagram / @northymax1965 5 Maxine is now raising awareness of severe allergies Credit: GoFundMe
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Passenger's 'flight allergy list' mocked online: 'No coffee, no fragrance, no airplane fuel'
A few users argued that the passenger likely wasn't allergic to the listed items, but rather just had sensitivities. — Pixabay A photo of a passenger's 'flight allergy list' is causing quite a stir on social media for its unusual demands. While the passenger who wrote the list hasn't been identified, X user Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft) shared a photo of it on the platform on May 19, with the caption: "Imagine sitting next to a passenger like this?" On the list, the airplane traveler asked that no coffee or cashews be served on the flight due to allergies. 'I'm highly allergic to smell of coffee and would appreciate it if you could refrain from brewing coffee,' adding, 'as even the smell can stop my breathing.' The passenger also claimed they were allergic to non-food items such as 'fragrances or chemical smells,' naming colognes, perfume, scented soaps, and body lotions as substances they couldn't be exposed to. Gasoline and airplane fuel were also listed. The passenger noted that they take several medications and also asked that they be supplied with a 'large bottle' so they wouldn't have to bother attendants for more refills. At the end of the note, they expressed their gratitude, writing: 'Thank you for your patience and understanding in trying to make the flight as enjoyable as possible for me. I appreciate you.' However on X, users had no sympathy for these demands. 'Passenger shouldn't fly,' opined one user. Another said: 'Get off and walk Karen , omg' Others ruled the list as bogus: 'Sorry, but take a private plane or keep an EpiPen handy. If not approved by a CRO (Complaint Resolution Official) from the airlines, then doesn't have to be enforced.' A few users argued that the passenger likely wasn't allergic to the listed items, but rather just had sensitivities. While the items listed can all trigger an allergic reaction to some extent, it doesn't seem likely that the passenger would suffer a severe reaction if it's happening in a different row or area on the plane. A 2024 review published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood debunked the common misconception that peanut/tree nut particles can lead to allergic reactions through aircraft ventilation systems. In fact, researchers claimed that food-induced allergic reactions are 10-100 times less common on flights than on the ground and that most risks stem from surface contamination rather than airborne particles. Researchers noted that cleaning surfaces (like tray tables and seat backs) where allergen residues might be present is a highly effective precaution for allergic passengers. In other words, stashing some Lysol wipes in a carry-on bag might be more effective than issuing a 'flight allergy list' to flight attendants. – News Service
