British ballet dancer, 25, killed after consuming ‘mislabeled’ cookies
- Órla Baxendale died after consuming Vanilla Florentine cookies
- Talented dancer had moved to New York from England to pursue her dream
- Orla’s heartbroken household say they’re ‘devastated’
A British ballet dancer has died after an allergic response to cookies offered at a retailer in Connecticut which allegedly did not disclose that they contained peanuts on their label.
Órla Baxendale, 25, who’s initially from Helmshore, East Lancashire, went into anaphylactic shock and died on January 11 after consuming cookies that contained peanuts.
The gifted dancer had moved to New York from England to pursue her dream of turning into knowledgeable ballet dancer.
The Vanilla Florentine cookies have been subsequently recalled as a result of packaging not having a peanut allergy warning.
The Baxendale household has issued a heartbreaking warning in regards to the significance of correctly labelling meals as they urged folks to donate to an allergy consciousness non-profit.
‘We are all devastated by the lack of our stunning and gifted Órla who was taken from us far too quickly,’ Baxendale’s sister Niamh wrote in a press release.
Baxendale went into anaphylactic shock on January 11 after consuming the Vanilla Florentine cookies which have been subsequently recalled for an allergen, her household’s attorneys stated
Órla Baxendale, 25, died from a extreme allergic response after consuming cookies purchased from a Stew Leonard’s retailer which allegedly didn’t disclose they contained peanuts
The candy treats have been manufactured by Cookies United and offered at Stew Leonard’s as a part of a vacation run
‘It’s incomprehensible that allergic reactions can nonetheless take lives in 2024. Please examine anaphylaxis as it’s possible you’ll assist to save lots of somebody’s life at some point.
‘Orla Baxendale’s Facebook web page can be memorialized so please do share messages on right here for Órla as we like to learn them.
If you wish to please take into account donating to Allergy UK in Órla’s reminiscence.
‘Órla was so cautious and at all times checked the substances earlier than consuming something – mislabelling meals can kill.’
The candy treats have been manufactured by Cookies United and offered at Stew Leonard’s as a part of a vacation run.
The grocery retailer chain’s CEO has claimed his firm was not notified a few change within the substances of the product which added peanuts, one thing Cookies United vehemently disputes.
Stew Leonard Jr., the grocery store’s CEO stated in a press release to Channel 3 information that Cookies United had modified the recipe from soy nuts to peanuts with out notifying the corporate.
The cookies have been then allegedly repackaged and relabelled underneath the Stew Leonard’s branding the place they have been offered in retailer, with none point out of peanuts.
‘This has by no means occurred at Stew Leonard’s earlier than,’ Leonard stated in a press release. ‘We have very strict meals security practices and one in all them is having all correct substances listed on our labels.
Stew Leonard Jr., the grocery store’s CEO stated that Cookies United had modified the recipe from soy nuts to peanuts with out notifying the corporate
‘Unfortunately, we’re shopping for these cookies from an organization who by no means instructed us they modified the substances.
‘We offered them in good religion and one buyer was affected. We have been devastated to study this information and our household is sending our deepest condolences.’
His account has been hotly contested by Cookies United who declare they did notify the corporate through an e mail which was seen by Channel 3 information.
‘It has come to the eye of Cookies United {that a} buyer of Stew Leonard’s has tragically died because of consuming cookies containing peanuts. Our hearts and condolences are first with the household of this Stew Leonard’s buyer,’ a press release from the producer stated.
‘Unfortunately, contemplating the tragedy of those circumstances, we have to level out that Stew Leonard’s was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now incorporates peanuts and all merchandise shipped to them have been labelled accordingly.
‘This product is offered underneath the Stew Leonard’s model and repackaged at their amenities. The incorrect label was created by, and utilized to, their product by Stew Leonard’s.
‘In the 24 hours since Cookies United realized of this tragedy we’ve been cooperating with the New York State Department of Agriculture and have been knowledgeable we’re in compliance with all relevant guidelines and laws referring to this product.
‘Our deepest sympathies to the household of this Stew Leonard’s buyer.’
Baxendale was born in East Lancashire within the UK and had moved to New York to work as knowledgeable dancer
She had achieved a scholarship to the distinguished The Ailey School and had been within the states for 5 years
Baxendale was born in East Lancashire within the UK and had moved to New York to work as knowledgeable dancer, reaching a scholarship to the distinguished The Ailey School.
The dancer had been within the states for 5 years and was as a consequence of embark on a world tour with dance firm MOMIX.
She was in Milford, Connecticut getting ready for a task in a dance firm’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at a social gathering when she ate the cookies.
Attorneys for her household blamed her dying on, ‘the gross negligence and reckless conduct of the producer and/or sellers who did not correctly establish the contents of the cookie on the packaging’.
‘This failure in correct disclosure has led to this devastating but preventable consequence,’ the assertion from Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf stated.
‘Her sudden loss shouldn’t be solely a private tragedy for her household and pals but in addition a big loss to the creative group.
‘We stand with Órla’s household on this troublesome time and lengthen our deepest condolences.
‘They have been overwhelmed and comforted by the outpouring of affection, help, and tributes from world wide.
Baxendale was in Milford, Connecticut getting ready for a task in a dance firm’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at a social gathering when she ate the cookies
Since her tragic dying, tributes have poured in from her alma mater and the dance group in New York and overseas
‘Órla’s vibrant spirit and her relentless pursuit of excellence in her artwork have left an indelible mark on all who knew her.’
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is advising anybody with a nut allergy to do away with the cookies instantly.
The merchandise have been offered on the Danbury and Newington places from November 6 to December 31.
Stew Leonard’s is providing prospects who return the cookies a full refund.
Tributes poured into the gifted dancer’s native newspaper the Lancashire Telegraph following information of her dying.
‘A radiant drive each on and off the dance ground, she embodied a thirst for all times that was actually charming,’ a press release from Elmhurst Ballet School stated.
‘Her authenticity and talent to remain true to herself resonated with all who had the privilege of realizing her, and he or she had a exceptional reward for lighting up any room she entered.
‘Her distinctive expertise has left a long-lasting impression, making certain that her legacy as each an artist and a person can be fondly remembered at our faculty.’
The merchandise have been offered in Connecticut’s on the Danbury and Newington places from November 6 to December 31
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is advising anybody with a nut allergy to do away with the cookies instantly
‘This previous week, the New York City dance group misplaced an attractive dancer, avid dreamer, and beloved member of the Steps on Broadway crew, Órla Baxendale,’ New York dance studio, Steps on Broadway, wrote.
While her alma mater The Ailey School stated: ‘We are deeply saddened by the premature passing of alumna Órla Baxendale.
‘She had grow to be an integral a part of the New York dance world, pursuing her ardour, shining her vivid gentle, and doing what she cherished most.
‘Her loss can be profoundly felt by her pals, colleagues, and all who knew her. We will bear in mind her for her joyful spirit and boundless expertise. Our ideas are together with her household at this devastating time.’
