A single mouthful of a curry killed a man
07.03.2024 - 18:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man allergic to nuts and almonds tragically died days after he ate a single mouthful of a butter chicken curry he ordered from a takeaway for a family meal. Joseph Higginson - a much-loved son and brother - had tolerated almonds before and had also eaten the dish before, his family said.
They have now spoken out to raise awareness, saying the severity of allergies and a body's tolerance to them can change during a person's lifetime. A coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure at an inquest into his death.
Joseph - known to his family and friends as Joe - was 27 and a mechanic. He lived with his family in Holcombe Brook, Ramsbottom, Bury. The takeaway involved had 'clearly indicated' the dish contained almonds and had stated all the correct allergy information and awareness it had to, the coroner said.
READ MORE: The missed opportunity to stop an axe killer
Police investigated in line with procedure, but no fault or cause for concern was found on the part of the takeaway in Holcombe Village. Joe, 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 allergies just months earlier.
The inquest at Rochdale Coroners' Court heard that in June 2022, he 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.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can happen extremely quickly. It's typically caused by food allergies, medicine or insect