Full Breakdown
Family of Allergy Sufferer Receives £1.25 Million Compensation After Fatal Sandwich Incident
12/10/2025, 11:11:55 PM
Tragic Incident and Legal Outcome
The family of Celia Marsh, a 42-year-old dental nurse who died after consuming a contaminated 'vegan' sandwich from Pret A Manger, has been awarded £1.25 million in compensation. The incident occurred in December 2017 during a family shopping trip in Bath, where Mrs. Marsh, who had a severe milk allergy, mistakenly believed the 'vegan rainbow' flatbread was safe. The sandwich, however, contained traces of milk protein due to cross-contamination during manufacturing, leading to her anaphylactic reaction and subsequent death.
Investigation Findings
An inquest into Mrs. Marsh's death revealed that the sandwich's contamination stemmed from a product made by Planet Coconut, marketed as a dairy-free coconut yogurt alternative. Coroner Maria Voisin noted that the ingredient responsible for the contamination had been flagged as a risk, but this information was not communicated to customers. Within 15 minutes of consuming the sandwich, Mrs. Marsh experienced an acute allergic reaction and collapsed shortly thereafter, despite using her EpiPen and receiving immediate assistance.
Compensation Settlement Details
Following the inquest, Andy Marsh, Celia's husband, initiated a High Court compensation claim against Pret A Manger and Planet Coconut Ltd. The settlement, which was approved by Master Mark Gidden, stipulates that Pret will be liable for 25% of the payout, while the remaining liability falls on Planet Coconut's insurers. Family barrister Hannah Noyce indicated that the defendants initially proposed a 75/25 liability split favoring Pret, but negotiations led to a joint liability agreement.
Official Statements and Recommendations
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the coroner issued a special report advocating for improved systems to record severe allergic reactions and ensure accurate food labeling. This report prompted the Food Standards Agency to update its guidance on labeling products as 'free from' allergens and 'vegan.' Ashleigh Grice, Mrs. Marsh's eldest daughter, expressed that her mother had lived in constant fear of allergic reactions, emphasizing the importance of accurate food labeling.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the compensation awarded, there are concerns regarding the adequacy of current food safety regulations. Critics argue that more stringent measures are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future, highlighting the need for better communication of allergen risks from manufacturers to consumers.
Verbatim Quotes
The tragic case of Celia Marsh underscores the critical importance of accurate food labeling and the need for robust systems to protect individuals with food allergies.
