A 12-year-old girl died after a serious allergic reaction to a milkshake because a blender with a drink with nuts was not washed away properly.
Her 'deeply sad “family said that her death should have been avoided.
Mia-Shay St. Hilaire visited the Pop Inn Cafe in Bermondsey, Southeast London, in the summer of 2023 with family.
Mia-Shay, from Sydenham in Southeast London, was allergic to trees notes.
She ordered a milkshake but suffered from a serious allergic reaction that eventually led to her death five days later.
It is believed that tracks of notes were present in the drink of Mia-Shay, which led to the tragic death of the young girl.
CCTV documentary material showed that the café operator, Baris Yucel, had not cleaned a blender well that was used to make Mia-Shay's milkshake.
Yucel, 47, admitted six criminal prosecution with regard to the death of the young girl. He was fined £ 18,000 and received a 100-hour community.
Mia-Shay St. Hilaire, 12, died after she had drunk a milkshake with traces of tree nuts
The parents of Mia-Shay, Adrian and Chanel, said that the knowledge that the death of their daughter could have prevented so easily, only worsened the sorrow of the family.
“We think of Mia-Shay every day and knowing that her death could possibly have been prevented, only contributes to how deeply saddened we are like a family,” they said.
“We hope that this conviction and great message will send to companies that serve eating and drinking throughout the country, of the devastating consequences of not failing to take food safety seriously.”
The Croydon Magistrates court heard that Mia-Shay had visited the cafe with her aunt and sister on August 25, 2023.
She suffered a serious allergic reaction after drinking a milkshake.
An ambulance was called and Mia-Shay was taken to the hospital, where she unfortunately died five days later on August 30.
The food safety team of the Southwark Council started a study, which was concluded with the conviction that there were hazelnuts and almonds in the Milkshake prepared for Mia-Shay, who was allergic to trees nuts.
The court saw CCTV evidence that showed that Cafe operator Yucel de Blender who was used to make her milkshake had not cleaned properly, and substances had been left by the preparation of a previous drink.
Southwark Council argued that this meant that Mia-Shay ran a serious allergic reaction and concluded that her death could have been avoided.
Mr. Yucel argued guilty of six criminal charges against him, including no allergenic advice or visible to consumers, not managing allergenic contamination during the food production process and serving food that an allergen ingredient contained should not have been present.
CCTV certificate showed that Cafe operator Baris Yucel de Blender that was used to make her milkshake had not cleaned properly
Michelle Victor, a partner at Law firm Leigh Day, who represented the Mia-Shay family, said that children with allergies should feel at ease to order food and drink in hospitality locations safe in the knowledge that legislation to protect their lives is held.
She said: 'We continue to support Mia-Shay's family and although no outcome will ever make up for the loss that they have suffered, this criminal persecution is an important part of their fight to achieve justice for anyone suffering from food allergies.
'Mia-Shay and all other children with allergies must be able to feel safe, knowing that companies that serve eating and drinking adhere to food safety legislation to protect their lives.
“But unfortunately we see far too often that this does not happen, which can have tragic consequences like in this case.”
Since the death of Mia-Shay, enforcement officials of Southwark Council have visited the Pop Inn Cafe to ensure that it follows new procedures aimed at preventing contamination.
An investigation into the death of Mia-Shay will still be heard.
CLLR Natasha Ennin, cabinet member for community safety and neighborhoods 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 could be avoided if the operator of the café had followed simple food safety rules, and our officers will continue to collaborate with local companies to ensure that they are followed by all food outputs in Southwark.”
