British Ballet Dancer Dies in US After Eating Peanut-Containing Cookie
Tragedy struck the ballet community when 25-year-old British ballet dancer, Órla Baxendale, lost her life after consuming a cookie that contained peanuts. The incident occurred in the United States, where Baxendale had been living in New York. She purchased the Vanilla Florentine Cookie from a Stew Leonard’s grocery store in Connecticut, unaware that it contained peanuts, as it was not listed on the label.
Baxendale, who had a severe peanut allergy, always took precautions and diligently checked the ingredients of the food she consumed. She also carried an EpiPen with her at all times and surrounded herself with people who knew how to administer it. Unfortunately, even with these safety measures in place, the allergic reaction she experienced after eating the cookie was too severe for the EpiPen to counteract. She tragically succumbed to anaphylactic shock on January 11th.
The grocery store has since issued a recall for the batch of Vanilla Florentine Cookies. Stew Leonard’s, in their recall notice, revealed that the cookies were produced by Cookies United and were exclusively sold at their Danbury and Newington branches. The cookies were found to contain undeclared peanuts and eggs, posing a serious risk to individuals with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. The recall notice also mentioned that there had been one reported death associated with the mislabeled product.
Cookies United, the manufacturer of the cookies, released a statement acknowledging that they had notified Stew Leonard’s in July about the inclusion of peanuts in their product. The owner of the grocery store expressed his deep sadness over the incident, stating, “It’s a sad day for us. We’re just all devastated, very sad.” He empathized with Baxendale’s family, as he himself is a father of four daughters.
Órla Baxendale, originally from East Lancashire, England, had moved to New York to pursue her dance career. She was known for her exceptional skills in ballet, contemporary, and Irish step dancing. Her online obituary describes her as the embodiment of enthusiasm, strength, and beauty. Her family expressed their devastation over the loss, and the ballet community mourns the passing of such a talented and promising dancer.
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli expressed his condolences and referred to Baxendale’s death as a heartbreaking tragedy. He assured the public that his agency is working closely with local, federal, and other state officials to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate food labeling and the need for heightened awareness regarding food allergies. It highlights the potential dangers that individuals with severe allergies face on a daily basis. The ballet world has lost a shining star, and the tragic loss of Órla Baxendale will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both the dance community and those advocating for stricter food safety regulations.