Irish dancer dies after eating mislabeled vanilla biscuit which contained peanuts

A professional Irish dancer has died after consuming a mislabelled biscuit from a supermarket chain in the US.

Órla Baxendale (25) suffered a severe allergic reaction to peanuts after consuming the sugary treat. An EpiPen was unable to prevent her tragic death.

The vanilla treat packaging, which was purchased in Connecticut, did not state that the cookie contained peanuts.

Órla – born in East Lancashire in the UK – sadly died on January 11, just before she was to take a lead role in a production of Alice in Wonderland.

Órla moved from the UK to New York City in 2018 to pursue a career in the arts. She was a very talented Irish step dancer and was beginning to gain starring roles on stage.

Ms Baxendale’s family said Órla was “truly one of a kind”.

“She was a beautiful, radiant, brave soul who always believed she would achieve her biggest dreams – and that’s exactly what she did. She danced her way across the world and lived life to the fullest every day.

“We will never recover from the pain of having her taken from us so soon, in the prime of her life. But we are also so proud to call her our daughter and sister, and to have had the privilege of sharing 25 years with such an incredibly special person.

“It is incomprehensible that allergies can take lives in 2024, and we want to urge everyone to educate yourselves and those around you about anaphylaxis, how to use EpiPens and the early warning signs for severe allergic reactions.

“We have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages coming in from across the world, from all the people who loved Órla and will never forget meeting her or seeing her dance. It is clear that she meant so much to so many people, with her mesmerising talent, her cheeky nature and her incredible compassion for others.

“The truth is Órla got more out of life in 25 years than most do in a lifetime, and she will now live on in all our hearts forever,” her family said in a statement.

NYC dance studio Steps on Broadway said Órla was the “embodiment of enthusiasm, strength, and beauty”.

“Known for her quirky character and boundless love for those around her, she was a source of joy and inspiration to everyone. Her presence was a constant reminder to live life to its fullest, a lesson she embraced wholeheartedly and urged others to adopt.

“Her passion for dance extended well beyond a single discipline as she was an exquisite ballet, contemporary, and Irish step dancer. Each endeavour she undertook became a testament to her dedication and passion, leaving a lasting impact on many lives.

“Her legacy is one of magic and artistry, a unique blend that she brought into everything she did. The memories she bestowed upon us will continue to sparkle with her infectious zest for life and the beautiful art she created.”

Stew Leonard Jr, the president of the retailer, said in a video that their supplier, ‘Cookies United’ changed from using soy nuts to peanuts in the recipe without notifying the chief safety officer.

But biscuit maker ‘Cookies United’ said in a statement they notified Stew Leonard’s last July that the product contained peanuts and that all products shipped had been labelled accordingly.

The supplier said the incorrect label was created by Stew Leonard’s.

A recall of the Vanilla and Chocolate Florentine Cookies was issued yesterday.

The first recall revealed that the cookies contain undeclared peanuts and eggs and that people with an allergy to either of those foods are at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions upon consumption.

“Órla was very careful and hyper-vigilant about everything she ate, and always thoroughly checked the ingredients on all packaging,” a statement issued by her attorneys said. “In addition, she always carried an EpiPen with her and surrounded herself with people who know how to administer one.”

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