Teenager Died In January From Problems Linked To Nut Allergy

Specialist Public Health lawyers have revealed their concerns after it was confirmed that two men had been charged following the death of a teenager who suffered an allergic reaction to food prepared by a takeaway in Lancashire.

Megan Lee, from Oswaldtwistle, died in hospital aged 15 on January 1st this year, several days after she ate a meal from the Royal Spice takeaway in Hyndburn. A post-mortem revealed the cause of death to be acute asthma due to a nut allergy.

The BBC reports that two men who own the takeaway in question – Mohammed Kuddus, 39, from Blackburn and Harun Rashid, 38, of Haslingden – have now been charged with manslaughter as well as health and safety and food hygiene offences in relation to the case.

While the takeaway was initially closed by the local council, it is now trading under new ownership.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Health team have vast experience providing advice and support to victims of illness outbreaks and food hygiene issues across the UK, notably acting for dozens of victims of Salmonella food poisoning following a nationwide outbreak in 2014 and almost 300 victims of norovirus who dined at the Toby Carvery Exeter Arms in 2015.

Commenting on the case of Megan Lee, Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and specialist in Public Health Litigation at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“This is clearly a very worrying case and news of two men being charged is obviously a major development.

“While it would be wrong to speculate on the circumstances of the case at this time, it is clear that food businesses have guidelines and protocols to follow in regards to hygiene and allergy issues. With that in mind, a case of this nature serves as a reminder of just why such guidelines are in place.

“It is vital that thorough investigations into this case continue and, where possible, lessons are learned which ensure the tragic consequences seen here are simply never repeated.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner

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