02 Nov Could you die from what you are eating?
Peanut allergen sufferer, George Holland, 18, is seen double checking the ingredients in his food as an extra precaution after the sudden deaths of two Pret A Manger customers. Photo taken by Lauryn Pierro on Oct. 7 at Mclaren House, South Bank, London, England.
Allergy sufferers are feeling extra cautious after two Pret A Manger customers have died after eating products with unstated ingredients- a problem Pret have now promised to rectify.
The UK has some of the highest rates of allergic conditions in the world, with over 20% of the population affected by one or more disorder, according to Allergy UK.
“I’ve been allergic to peanuts my whole entire life and I’m always careful of checking the ingredients in the food I’m buying, especially if it’s fresh [food]”, says George Holland, a first year London South Bank University student.
George however, is not the only one. According to Allergy UK, “an astounding 44% of British adults now suffer from at least one allergy and the number of sufferers is on the rise, growing by 2 million between 2008 and 2009.”
“After I heard about those girls dying from eating food bought without knowing the actual contents of it really scared me.”
The aftermath of these events, have resulted in students becoming extra cautious whilst purchasing food outside their homes.
“I’m definitely going to be extra cautious from now on,” George Holland continued.
Meshanda Cyrus, a second year Journalism student at London South Bank University has been allergic to peanuts since she unexpectedly developed a peanut allergy at 6 years old.
“When I ate peanuts, I started severe itching which progressed over the years from an itch, to my throat swelling up, to my limbs feeling weak and all of that,” said Cyrus.
“I’m very careful about reading the ingredients, labels and allergens in products when I go to the shops. I look for what it’s made of and if it has any traces of nuts, peanuts especially,” Cyrus continued.
Natasha Ednan- Laperouse, 15, and another Pret A Manger customer whose name has not been revealed, both consumed products which contained unstated ingredients, causing both deaths.
Following the unexpected deaths, Allergy UK has called for an urgent review of the existing regulations which do not require food prepared on a retail site, to be labelled with allergen information.
Allergy UK welcomes the announcement from Pret A Manger that a company will list all ingredients, including allergens, on its freshly made products with trails starting from next month and a roll out to all UK shops as quickly as possible.
“My advice for people with allergies is to read. Read carefully, ask questions about what the foods are made of, and where it was processed. Just be careful because your health is important,” Cyrus finally added.
Clive Schlee, Pret chief executive has stated, “Natasha’s law would be an honouring and benefitting thing to come from this tragedy,” according to CNN.
