New information has come to light regarding the case of a12-year-oldgirlwho lost her life after drinking amilkshakeprepared in anunwashedblender.
The cafe’s operator, Baris Yucel, pleaded guilty to six criminal charges related to the Food Safety Act, and the establishment has been fined£18,000 (approx. $22,000).
An inquest into the incident will take place at a future date, theBBCreported on Monday (January 27).
HighlightsCafé operator Baris Yucel pleaded guilty to six criminal charges for serving a milkshake that contained traces of nuts.Twelve-year-old Mia tragically lost her life after suffering an allergic reaction to the contaminated milkshake.The café was fined £18,000, and Yucel was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
Mia St Hilaire had a tree nut allergy and was rushed to the hospital after drinking a milkshake at the Pop Inn Cafe on Southwark Park Road.
Her order was believed to have contained traces of hazelnuts and almonds from a previous milkshake that was made in the same blender.
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A London café was fined £18,000 when a 12-year-old lost her life after drinking its milkshakes
Image credits:Freepik (not the actual photo)
Despite efforts to save her, Mia lost her life at the hospital in August 2023.
It’s recently been reported that the cafe’s operator, Baris Yucel, pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court to six criminal charges related to the Food Safety Act in December 2024.
These include failing to identify risks associated with cross-contamination of allergenic ingredients and serving food that contained an allergenic ingredient that should not have been present.
The cafe has been fined £18,000, and its proprietor has been given 100 hours of community service, as per theBBC.
Image credits:Google Maps
Southwark Council argued that this negligence caused the girl to suffer asevere allergic reactionand that the tragedy could have been avoided.
“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.”
Mia St Hilaire lost her life after drinking a milkshake that was prepared in an unwashed blender
Image credits:Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The family’s attorney, Michelle Victor, highlighted the “tragic consequences” of businesses failing to adhere to food safety legislation.
“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,” the lawyer stated.
Councilor Natasha Ennin said she’s working to ensure that businesses in Southwark adhere to food safety rules.
Yucel, the 47-year-old cafe operator, had been in thefoodbusiness for 22 years, according to his lawyer.
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“He took immediate steps to better educate himself in September and October 2023 and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity,” the attorney said, adding that his client felt “genuine remorse” about his actions.
An enforcement officer from the council has made several visits to the cafe to ensure procedures to prevent a similar incident are being followed,YourLocalGuardianreported.
Mia suffered from a nut allergy, and the milkshake contained traces of hazelnuts and almonds from a previous drink
Image credits:Vladislav Nikonov (not the actual photo)
When an individual is exposed to something they’reallergicto, they can experienceanaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. With anaphylaxis, the blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing.
Symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse, a skin rash, nausea, and vomiting.
It needs to betreatedright away with an injection of epinephrine. If it isn’t treated immediately, it can be fatal.
The cafe’s operator pleaded guilty to six charges related to the Food Safety Act
Image credits:stock.adobe (not the actual photo)
“This is yet another death of a young person from a food allergy that should never have happened. We have met Mia’s parents on several occasions, and our hearts are absolutely broken for them and their terrible loss,”wroteThe Natasha Allergy Research Foundation on social media.
“How many more people must be hospitalized or die before all food operators realise these rules are not an optional extra, but essential for keeping their customers safe?”
To learn more about food safety regulations in England,Bored Pandareached out to award-winning food hygiene and safety expertSylvia Anderson, who specializes in helping restaurantsachieve a 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating.
In the UK, food businesses are assigned a hygiene rating from 0 to 5, based on the hygienic handling of food, the physical conditions of the premises, and the management of food safety
During the inspection, the officer will assess different areas, including the hygienic handling of food (preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling, and storage) and the physical condition of the premises (cleanliness, ventilation, pest control, and available facilities.)
“Officers also assess the management of food safety, including processes, staff training, and systems in place to maintain hygiene standards,” notes Anderson. “This helps determine the level of confidence in your ability to sustain good hygiene practices in the future.”
Image credits:Piotr Szulawski (not the actual photo)
If a business is found in violation of food hygiene or safety regulations, the owner or proprietor is held legally accountable along with any individuals directly responsible for the breaches, the expert said.
“In the event of an individual failure, offenders can be imprisoned or, in the worst cases prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment for gross negligence manslaughter.”
“There are so many people who don’t understand the dangers of allergies,” a Facebook user wrote
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