In a bid to tackle the growing issue of food allergies, Pret A Manger has pledged £10 million to research the condition. The move comes after the death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died from an allergic reaction to a sesame seed sandwich purchased from one of their stores in 2016. Natasha's tragic death led to a coroner's court ruling that Pret A Manger was responsible for failing to provide clear allergy information on their products.
The research, led by the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London, will focus on understanding the causes of food allergies and developing new treatments to prevent severe reactions. The project is expected to involve a team of scientists and clinicians working together to identify biomarkers for food allergies and develop novel therapies.
Prof. Matthew Collinson, the lead researcher from the University of Edinburgh, stated that the research will help to improve awareness and prevention of severe allergic reactions. He added that the project will provide new insights into the causes of food allergies and develop new treatments to prevent anaphylactic shock.
The research is expected to be completed within the next five years, with the £10 million funding providing a significant boost to the project. The move has been welcomed by allergy charities and experts, who believe that it will help to improve the lives of those affected by food allergies.