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Pret A Manger rolls out ingredients labels after allergy deaths

Ingredients will now be listed on all freshly made Pret sandwiches. Photo: Nick Ansell/PA Wire/PA Images
Ingredients will now be listed on all freshly made Pret sandwiches. Photo: Nick Ansell/PA Wire/PA Images

Pret A Manger has begun labelling ingredients on its freshly made products, in response to the deaths of two customers who had allergic reactions to its sandwiches.

The new labelling system was introduced in London outlets on Thursday and will roll out to all UK Pret shops before the end of summer, according to the chain.

The change follows the deaths of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse and 42-year-old Celia Marsh, who both died after allegedly eating Pret sandwiches containing ingredients they were allergic to.

READ MORE: EasyJet to stop offering nuts on flights to help keep allergy sufferers safe

Ednan-Laperouse collapsed on a flight in July 2016 after eating an artichoke, olive, and tapenade baguette she bought from a Pret at Heathrow airport.

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Her coroner’s report showed she died from asphyxiation due to an allergic reaction to sesame, which she didn’t know was in the food she was eating.

Marsh died in December 2017 after an allergic reaction to dairy, which was not supposed to be in the “super-veg rainbow flatbread” she bought from a store in Stall Street, Bath.

READ MORE: This wearable allergy-detection strip could save your child’s life

Pret claimed a dairy-free coconut yoghurt from supplier CoYo, which was in the sandwich, had been contaminated with dairy protein.

In February 2018, CoYo recalled 18 batches of the yoghurt after they were found to contain milk. However, CoYo has denied the recall is linked to Marsh’s death, which happened a month previously.

“The claims made by Pret are unfounded,” a CoYo spokeswoman said.

READ MORE: Why peanut reactions have become ‘almost epidemic’ — and what to do about food allergies

Pret has since introduced allergen warning stickers in its fridges and on all individual freshly made products. The chain has also placed signs at till points advising customers with allergies to speak to a manager to see the company allergen guide.

Pret is not legally required to list allergen advice on the wrapping of products made on its premises.

“The issue of allergies has struck a deep chord within Pret A Manger following the tragic deaths of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse and Celia Marsh,” Pret CEO Clive Schlee said Thursday.