Should staff be prosecuted?

[mids2019]

‘Miscommunication’ over Costa drinks order may have led to girl’s death https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/13/miscommunication-over-costa-drinks-order-may-have-led-to-girls-death?CMP=share_btn_url

What a tragic thing to happen.

To answer your question, I'd think it was a training/processes issue rather than the individual staff members being to blame.

You've got another thread on this

Milk allergy death- should the book be thrown at the staff involved? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/5141477-milk-allergy-death-should-the-book-be-thrown-at-the-staff-involved

Individual staff? Probably not. Maybe management of the store? Or the company as a whole most definitely. It really depends on the training they were given, and the fact it could have been an honest mistake that happened for a series of reasons.
It's a terrible thing that happened but to prosecute the barista who put the wrong milk for corporate manslaughter or whatever they call it seems excessive. Nobody would ever work minimum wage jobs handling allergens ever again.
The company should bear the brunt of it I believe.

No. It’s terrible what happened but is an easy mistake in a busy cafe. Not to victim blame but why on earth would you order a drink from Costa for your child who has such a severe allergy to milk? 😳

Such a sad, tragic situation.

I have so many questions though. I have a DC with strict (albeit not all allergy related) dietary requirements and I'm so on top of what she can / can't have and very careful if we ever eat out. For the most part we simply don't eat out.

There is no mention of Epi Pens / prior reactions / plans if child comes into contact with any allergens.

It sounds like I'm victim blaming but if my child had severe, life threatening allergies I'd not be chancing it with ready made food and conveyor belt beverages.

And I know this is an awful thing to say but a hot chocolate on the way to a dentist appointment? 😮

As I say it's an awful, tragic situation but I'm not sure if the Barista was negligent based on current information.

Oh that poor girl and her family. So sad

That’s exactly what I thought. I just wouldn’t take the risk.

Agree with this also why go to the pharmacist from the dentist who is a trained HCP it all doesn't make sense. DH has milk issues (think D&V) he only rolls the dice on Costa if we are heading home would never chance it with an anaphylaxis allergy

I read this article somewhere on Facebook earlier.

No, the staff or the chain should not be prosecuted. Even if every procedure had been followed to the letter, there is still risk of cross contamination.

The girl was with her mother, hard to comprehend why they wouldn't have an epipen with them when she had such severe allergies and also why you would take the risk in ordering a dairy drink in the first place.

Prosecuted for what?

It’s horrendous but we don’t know what happened yet. I very much doubt Costa promise there won’t be any cross contamination when they are such a heavily dairy based product.

https://www.costa.co.uk/docs/store-allergen-guide.pdf Having just checked their guide it does make it clear there is a risk of cross contamination in the hot chocolate with soya milk.

it’s a horrible tragedy but I’m not sure there is blame with an individual.

No of course they shouldn't!