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Sadness FamilyHurt by losing loved ones due to severe allergic reactions, are seeking immediate Improvement The investigative system argues that it has repeatedly failed to learn from past tragedies.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation is leading the call for mandatory testing of all anaphylaxis deaths,
The charity also advocates for national reporting of near-fatal reactions and the appointment of an “allergy czar” to bring about necessary changes.
The recommendations stem from a new study that revealed the critical absence of a single, comprehensive data source to accurately track anaphylaxis deaths in England and Wales, hindering real-time, life-saving analysis.
Anaphylaxis is a serious illness allergic reaction Caused by things like food, drugs, and poisons.
However, the number of deaths it causes is unclear, with estimates ranging from 20 to more than 8,600 per year, according to a new report from Dr. Georgia Richards, an epidemiologist at King’s College London and founder of the Preventable Deaths Tracker.
Coroners Investigate sudden, suspicious or unexplained deaths, and may issue a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report if they believe action could have been taken to prevent the deaths.
However, the study found that not all deaths from anaphylaxis are investigated – despite them often being sudden and unexplained – with only two PFDs being issued per year for deaths from serious allergic reactions.
The analysis included 6,000 PFDs and found only 32 involved anaphylaxis between 2013 and 2025, equivalent to two deaths a year, which the report describes as “the tip of the iceberg”.
According to the researchers, every death caused by anaphylaxis during this period could have been prevented.
Some 189 concerns were raised by coroners in these reports, mostly about a lack of education and training Allergies and national oversight.
PFDs are issued to organizations in the event of action and they are required to respond within 56 days as to what actions will be taken.
However, the study found that of the 68 organizations that were sent PFDs following anaphylaxis deaths, only 45 percent responded.
The analysis also showed that children aged 10 to 17 were at greatest risk of anaphylaxis.
The number of people admitted to hospital for severe allergic reactions to food has tripled in the past two decades, the report warns.
Dr Richards said: “Anaphylaxis is the worst example we have seen to date, where coroners are not only raising the same concerns over and over again over PFDs, but also repeatedly referring to other PFDs written by their colleagues, yet – nothing is being done.”
The report calls for all anaphylaxis deaths to be investigated by coroners on a mandatory basis, with a new national reporting system for all anaphylactic events, including near-fatal reactions.
It also recommends the implementation of a national database of all deaths investigated by coroners in England and Wales, and calls for appointing an allergy czar to help drive change.
Dr Richards said: “Getting information from coroners can save lives from anaphylaxis. Urgent action is needed to prevent future deaths, including the appointment of a national allergy lead – an allergy czar – to drive change.”
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation was founded by Nadim and Tanya Adnan-Lapperhouse after their 15-year-old daughter Natasha died after eating a baguette that did not list sesame seeds as an ingredient.
The couple said: “Natasha’s death from anaphylaxis in 2016 was completely preventable. This should never have happened. Losing a child due to anaphylaxis is devastating.
“Failing to learn from our mistakes, to help keep others safe and prevent future deaths, is unimaginable.
“We hope this study will help shed light on the need for action so that no parent has to go through the terrible loss we will endure forever.”
Other bereaved families attending the launch of the report included Abimbola Duyile, whose 13-year-old daughter Hannah Jacobs died in 2023 after a reaction to milk in a Costa drink, Emma Ture, whose 18-year-old daughter Shante Ture-Thomas died after eating hazelnuts in 2018, and Mike and Aicha King, whose 18-year-old daughter Lily died after a reaction to the food in Morocco. Died. In 2024.
Ms Turay said: “After reading this report, I feel fortunate that Shantae’s death was investigated and a report issued to prevent future deaths.
“Yet five years after the investigation, the coroner’s concerns about the lack of an allergy czar, a national allergy lead to act as a champion for allergy sufferers and drive change, have still not been acted upon.”
Michelle Victor, partner and head of the food safety team at law firm Leigh Day, which co-sponsors the event with the Natasha Foundation, said: “There has been a systematic failure to implement changes after being accused of investigating fatal food-induced anaphylaxis.
“The coronial system designed to prevent future deaths in such circumstances is failing families. The failings identified at various inquiries have not led to meaningful change.
“While losing a loved one in such circumstances is devastating, not seeing change to prevent another’s death is unforgivable. The lack of a coordinated national system to collect data and act on learning from fatal anaphylaxis cases needs to change now.”