A mechanic with a severe nut allergy died after eating just a single mouthful of butter chicken takeaway curry containing almonds despite eating it many times before.
Joseph Higginson, 27, who was allergic to nuts, tragically died seven days after tucking in to the butter chicken curry during a Christmas family meal on 28 December 2022, an inquest heard.
Prior to His Death
The mechanic from Holcombe Brook, Greater Manchester, had eaten the dish before his family said but on this occasion he went into anaphylactic shock.
He is Aware ….
Mala restaurant had ‘clearly indicated’ the dish contained almonds and had stated all the correct allergy information and awareness it had to, Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday March 7.
… But Didn’t Take it Seriously
But according to Mr Higginson’s sister, Emily Higginson, her brother didn’t always take his allergies seriously.
Court Heard
In a statement read out in court, she said that he had been earlier hospitalised in the April of that year.
The inquest heard that in June 2022, Mr Higginson was seen by an allergist, with a skin prick test later confirming he was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, almonds and coconuts.
He was given an EpiPen – an auto-injector containing epinephrine to decrease a body’s allergic reaction – and received guidance on anaphylaxis.
What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can happen extremely quickly, typically caused by food allergies, medicine or insect stings.
Court Ruling
Greater Manchester Police investigated in line with procedure but no fault or cause for concern was found on the part of Mala, an Indian restaurant on Lumb Carr Road, Holcombe.
A coroner recorded a conclusion of misadventure at an inquest into his death.
Mr Higginson, the inquest heard, was aware of his allergies and knew the dish contained almonds. He collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest after eating just one mouthful at home during the meal. He had been diagnosed with his allergies just months earlier.
