Mom of Girl, 12, Who Died After Drinking Milkshake Made in Unwashed Blender Speaks Out, Says She Grieves ‘Every Day’

In a tragic incident that has sparked significant public debate, a 12-year-old girl named Mia Shay St Hilaire lost her life after consuming a milkshake contaminated with hazelnut residue from an unwashed blender at a London café. The incident occurred in August 2023, prompting calls for stricter allergen safety measures within the UK food industry.

An inquest at the Inner South London Coroner’s Court found that Mia suffered a severe allergic reaction shortly after taking just two sips of the drink, which had been prepared by Baris Yucel, then operator of the Pop Inn Cafe. The coroner determined that the milkshake was cross-contaminated due to the presence of hazelnut residue in the unwashed equipment. Mia’s mother, Chanel Spence, recalled that her daughter had been aware of her allergy and had even previously visited the café.

Speaking on the morning television show Good Morning Britain, Spence highlighted the shock and dismay of the family upon learning of the café’s inability to manage allergen risks effectively. With an exhortation for change, she and Mia’s father, Adrian St Hilaire, urged UK officials to implement specific allergen safety ratings for food establishments, complementing the existing food hygiene ratings system run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The parents expressed concern that a separate rating for allergy safety could have led to a different outcome for their daughter. “When you see a five-star rating at a shop, you feel safe,” Spence explained. “Had that been in place, we’d be looking at a different outcome.” Reflecting on the lingering grief after more than three years since Mia’s death, Spence stated that their lives remain heavily affected by the tragic event, saying, “It doesn’t really change a thing, you know, she’s our every day.”

Mia’s family solicitor, Angela Bruno, raised alarms about the café’s previous inspection history. It was mentioned that no allergy management matrix was found during an inspection in 2020. This inspection, however, still resulted in a five-star hygiene rating for the café. Bruno claimed that a subsequent inspection a couple of years later was missed entirely, adding to the families’ distress over the tragic circumstances surrounding Mia’s death.

In January 2025, Yucel pleaded guilty to six offences related to allergen safety, including failing to provide adequate allergen information to consumers and improperly managing allergen contamination. Following his conviction, he was fined £18,000 and sentenced to a community service order.

Chanel Spence’s emotional appeal on national television drew attention not only to her daughter’s plight but also to the broader issue of food safety regulations in the UK. She noted the absence of any real measures for consumers to reliably assess risk when dining out, particularly for those with serious food allergies. The lack of a formal mechanism to evaluate allergen safety has raised questions about current food safety practices and the responsibilities of food businesses to protect their patrons.

The FSA has acknowledged the critical importance of allergen safety, stating that they have introduced new guidance aimed at helping businesses comprehend their obligations. Rebecca Sudworth, the FSA’s Director of Food Policy, mentioned that they are continually reviewing their policies and providing free training resources for food operators. Despite this response, advocates argue that more concrete actions are needed to prevent similar tragedies.

Local authorities, including Southwark Council, have yet to offer insights on the efficacy of existing inspection protocols, particularly given the café’s history of health and safety dubiousness. Questions linger about how a business can receive high hygiene ratings while effectively disregarding the management of allergens, which can have life-threatening implications for sensitive individuals.

As ongoing discussions around food safety regulations continue, the St Hilaire family remains adamant that meaningful changes must occur to protect others from the devastating consequences they endured. Mia Shay St Hilaire’s story serves as a harsh reminder of the potential dangers lurking in seemingly safe dining experiences, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive system that prioritises allergy safety in the food sector.