Allergy

Yet another child has died after a severe allergic reaction to a Costa drink made with cow's milk that the parent thought was lactose-free.

It is nothing short of reckless for parents to place their trust in commercial outlets when it comes to feeding their allergenic children. The assumption that a business, driven by profit margins and often staffed by individuals with minimal understanding of food allergies, can guarantee a product is allergen-free is sheer folly. 

These are not minor dietary preferences but potentially life-threatening conditions. Yet, some parents casually place their children’s lives in the hands of a system that is inherently flawed. Cross-contamination is rife in commercial kitchens, and even with the best intentions, mistakes happen. A misplaced crumb, a misread label, or a rushed preparation can turn a seemingly harmless snack into a deadly threat. Trusting in vague assurances or assuming that "gluten-free" or "nut-free" labels are infallible is naïve at best and catastrophic at worst. The stakes are too high for blind faith in commercial promises. 

Parents must take full responsibility, scrutinising every ingredient and preparing food themselves, if necessary, rather than relying on the uncertain standards of strangers. When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for misplaced trust.

Outlets should say enough is enough and that they can't guarantee anything where allergies are concerned. Caveat emptor!