A 12-year-old girl, Mia St Hilaire, tragically died after consuming a milkshake at Pop Inn Café in South-East London in August 2023. Mia, who had a known tree nut allergy, suffered a severe reaction after drinking a shake made in a blender that had not been properly cleaned. The blender contained traces of hazelnuts and almonds from a previous milkshake, which led to her fatal allergic reaction.

Following the incident, Southwark Council’s food safety team launched an investigation. CCTV footage revealed that the café operator, Baris Yucel, 47, failed to wash the blender before making Mia’s drink, resulting in cross-contamination. The council highlighted that this basic food safety oversight directly contributed to Mia’s death. Yucel was charged with multiple offenses, including failing to provide allergen information and allowing cross-contamination. On December 2, 2024, he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Yucel was fined $23,000 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service in January 2025. While his lawyer expressed that he felt genuine remorse, Mia’s parents, Adrian and Chanel, have expressed that no punishment can undo their loss. They hope the case sends a strong message to food businesses about the importance of adhering to safety regulations. An inquest into Mia’s death is set to take place, aiming to prevent future tragedies by emphasizing proper allergen management and food safety in food establishments.

This incident underscores the critical need for strict food safety protocols, particularly in handling allergens, to protect vulnerable individuals with allergies.