Livid Louise lodges IKEA complaint after ‘cola’ blunder put her in A&E

Retail giant IKEA is investigating after one of its customers ended up in an A&E. Louise Harris had treated herself to a hotdog, meatballs and what she thought was a cup of 'sugar-free cola' after going to the Wednesbury store for a rug.

But the drink was actually blackcurrant, Louise has a berry allergy, and she was rushed to A&E at Walsall Manor Hospital. The 41-year-old, from Newcastle-under-Lyme[1], spent more than seven hours in hospital.

Now IKEA has 'apologised'. The incident happened on Thursday, October 19.

READ: Disabled woman 'in tears' at being kicked out of Hanley Wetherspoons in dog row - Louise Harris - who uses crutches and a wheelchair - says she felt like a second-class citizen after being told her assistance dog Bella was not welcome[2]

READ: Garage staff prevent major disaster as drunk tries to blow up Esso petrol pump - Daniel Adams, 30, has been handed an extended jail sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court[3]

Louise said: "I ordered the hotdog, drink and meatballs. I got my cup, went to the machine, and pressed the button for the 'sugar-free cola'. I was eating my meatballs and hotdog when I had my drink, assuming it was the 'sugar-free cola'. But unbeknown to me it wasn’t. It was blackcurrant and had berries.

"My throat was swelling up, my partner noticed my neck was red and coming out in a rash, I was struggling to breathe, and my legs were tingling."

The IKEA drinks dispenser

IKEA alerted a first aider to assist Louise.

Louise added: "A paramedic was in the food court and told me to go to hospital. We went straight to A&E and that's when I got treated for anaphylactic shock. I had to have Piriton, steroid tablets, a nebuliser, and they put me on a drip for fluids. They couldn’t get my heart under control, they had to do an ECG to check that there wasn’t any other damage. I’m still having treatment at the moment and have to take regular antihistamines."

Louise has lodged a complaint with the store and the company's head office.

Louise added: "They have said to me that they cannot find out who had wired the machine up. But there should be a protocol for wiring the machines up. Yes, it’s only food and drink but a person's life could be damaged or ended. I want people to be aware that allergies are severe. This was life threatening."

The IKEA drink dispenser

The store had drink dispensers for sugar-free cola, blackcurrant, lingonberry, and raspberry when Louise visited the shop.

IKEA Birmingham market manager Patricio Aleman said: "We are sincerely sorry for this incident in our Birmingham store. We have apologised as we understand that this was a very worrying experience for the customer.

"We have high food safety standards and began an immediate investigation which is still ongoing. We are in direct contact with the customer."

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References

  1. ^ Newcastle-under-Lyme (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
  2. ^ Disabled woman 'in tears' at being kicked out of Hanley Wetherspoons in dog row (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
  3. ^ Garage staff prevent major disaster as drunk tries to blow up Esso petrol pump (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
  4. ^ or click here (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)

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