A mechanic with a severe nut allergy died after eating just one bite of takeaway curry butter chicken containing almonds despite having eaten it many times before.
Joseph Higginson, 27, who was allergic to nuts, tragically died seven days after eating curry butter chicken during a family Christmas meal on December 28, 2022, an inquest heard.
The mechanic from Holcombe Brook, Greater Manchester, had eaten the dish before his family told him to, but on this occasion he went into anaphylactic shock.
The Mala restaurant had “clearly stated” that the dish contained almonds and had provided all correct allergy information and necessary knowledge, Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday, March 7.
But according to Mr. Higginson’s sister, Emily Higginson, her brother didn’t always take her allergies seriously.
Joseph Higginson, 27, who was allergic to nuts, tragically died seven days after eating butter chicken curry during a family Christmas meal.
The mechanic from Holcombe Brook, Greater Manchester, had eaten the dish before his family told him to, but on this occasion he went into anaphylactic shock.
In In a statement read to the court, he said he had previously been hospitalized in April of that year.
The investigation found that in June 2022, Higginson was seen by an allergist, and a skin test later confirmed he was allergic to peanuts, walnuts, almonds and coconuts.
He was given an EpiPen, an auto-injector that contains epinephrine to slow the body’s allergic reaction, and received counseling about anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur extremely quickly and is usually caused by food allergies, medications, or insect stings.
Greater Manchester Police investigated according to procedure but found no fault or cause for concern on the part of Mala, an Indian restaurant on Lumb Carr Road, Holcombe.
A coroner recorded a finding of misadventure at an inquest into his death.
According to the investigation, Mr Higginson was aware of his allergies and knew the dish contained almonds. He collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest after eating just one bite at home during the meal. He had been diagnosed with allergies just a few months earlier.
The inquest heard he ate a starter and then a bite of the butter chicken main course when he suddenly stood up.
Mr Higginson ran to the kitchen sink and then up the stairs.
His sister administered the EpiPen to his thigh, but nothing happened and he collapsed.
The family placed him in the recovery position and dialed 999 before he was also given adrenaline.
CPR was performed on him and he was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital, where he sadly died on January 4 last year.
The investigation considered that acute anaphylaxis was one of the causes of death.
A pathologist, Dr Philip Lumb, said Higginson had recently been diagnosed with an allergy to walnuts, peanuts, almonds and coconuts and had been “told to avoid nuts”.
Dr. Lumb said in a statement that Higginson suffered an “immediate allergic reaction” as soon as he put the butter chicken in his mouth.
According to the research, almonds were “the most likely trigger.”
Police said an investigation was launched but that no “alterants” were found in the food.
The menu, a detective said in a read statement, “clearly stated” that the butter chicken dish contained almonds and that Higginson had eaten the dish before.
Mr Higginson’s family have now spoken out to raise awareness that the severity of allergies and the body’s tolerance to them can change over a person’s life.
Emily, 32, said the family raised money to fund defibrillators in the area and for the charity Anaphylaxis UK after his death.
After the investigation, to thank everyone who was involved in her medical care, Emily said: “People with allergies should always take the situation seriously.”
“It’s not something that can be taken for granted: severity can change throughout a person’s life.”
Mr Higginson’s death has saved the lives of many other people because his organs were donated in accordance with his wishes.
The family said Higginson would posthumously receive the Order of St John’s award for organ donation.
The inquest heard that his wishes regarding the donation of his organs to give life to others were fulfilled.
Emily said: ‘He has donated his heart according to his wishes and a kidney. We know that they are safe and sound and that the transplants were a success.’
Paying tribute to her brother, Emily added: “He was cheeky and enjoyed a night out.” He liked good things. He has a lovely group of friends who have been amazing and supportive. “We want to thank them and everyone involved in Joe’s care.”
Coroner Julie Mitchell praised the family for their efforts in saving Mr Higginson’s life and said they could not have done more. She registered a conclusion of misfortune.
The coroner said the restaurant clearly indicated the dish contained almonds and said Higginson was “well aware” it was a “risky food for him”. But she said he chose the food because he had “tolerated” it before, as well as almonds.
The Mala restaurant declined to comment.
This is not the first time takeaway restaurants have been embroiled in a nut allergy scandal.
In January 2024, the manager of a restaurant that provided a takeaway pizza containing peanuts to a person with a nut allergy told his investigation that it was up to customers to inform staff if they had a life-threatening health condition.
Computer programmer James Atkinson died after eating less than a slice of his chicken tikka masala pizza from Dadyal in Newcastle in July 2020.
Terrified James, who had ordered the food via the Deliveroo app at his home in Jesmond, quickly fell ill and asked paramedics “am I going to die?” before fainting. He died an hour later at the hospital, despite doctors’ efforts to save him.