Man with nut allergy, 27, died after eating a single mouthful of butter chicken takeaway curry containing almonds which he’d ‘eaten many times before’

A mechanic with a severe nut allergy died after eating just one bite of butter chicken takeaway curry with almonds, despite having eaten it many times before.

Joseph Higginson, 27, who was allergic to nuts, tragically died seven days after eating the butter chicken curry during a Christmas family meal on December 28, 2022, an inquest heard.

The mechanic, from Holcombe Brook, Greater Manchester, had eaten the dish before his family said so, but on this occasion he went into anaphylactic shock.

Restaurant Mala had ‘clearly indicated’ that the dish contained almonds and had included all the correct allergy information and awareness, Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday, March 7.

But according to Mr Higginson’s sister, Emily Higginson, and her brother, didn’t always take his allergies seriously.

In In a statement read out in court, she said he had previously been admitted to hospital in April that year.

The inquest heard that Mr Higginson was seen by an allergist in June 2022, with a skin prick test later confirming he was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, almonds and coconuts.

He was given an EpiPen – an auto-injector that contains epinephrine to reduce the body’s allergic response – and counseled about anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur extremely quickly, usually caused by food allergies, medications, or insect stings.

Greater Manchester Police investigated the matter in accordance with procedure but no culpability or cause for concern was found at Mala, an Indian restaurant on Lumb Carr Road, Holcombe.

A coroner recorded the conclusion of a misadventure at an inquest into his death.

Mr Higginson, the inquest heard, was aware of his allergies and knew the dish contained almonds. He collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after eating just one bite during a meal at home. He had been diagnosed with an allergy several months earlier.

The inquest heard he was eating a starter and a bite of the butter chicken main course when he suddenly stood up.

Mr. Higginson rushed to the counter and then went upstairs.

His EpiPen was applied to his thigh by his sister, but nothing happened and he collapsed.

The family placed him in the recovery position and called 999 before he was also given adrenaline.

CPR was performed and he was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where he sadly died on January 4 last year.

The inquest revealed that acute anaphylaxis was given as the cause of death.

A pathologist, Dr Philip Lumb, said Mr Higginson had recently been diagnosed with an allergy to tree nuts, peanuts, almonds and coconuts and had been told to ‘avoid nuts’.

Dr. Lumb said in a statement that Mr Higginson had an “immediate allergic reaction” as soon as he put the butter chicken in his mouth.

Tonsils, the inquest found, were ‘the most likely trigger’.

Police said an investigation had been launched but no “adulterous substances” were found in the food.

The menu, a detective said in a read-out statement, “clearly” stated that the butter chicken dish contained almonds and that Mr Higginson had eaten the dish before.

Mr Higginson’s family have now spoken out to raise awareness that the severity of allergies and a body’s tolerance for them can change over a person’s lifetime.

Emily, 32, said the family raised money after his death to fund defibrillators in the area and for the charity Anaphylaxis UK.

Speaking after the inquest, Emily said she thanked everyone involved in his medical care: ‘People with allergies should always take the situation seriously.

“It’s not something that can be taken for granted; severity can change over a person’s lifetime.”

Mr Higginson’s death saved the lives of countless others because his organs were donated in accordance with his wishes

The family said Mr Higginson would posthumously receive the Order of St John award for organ donation.

The inquest heard that his wishes regarding donating his organs to give the gift of life to others were honored.

Emily said: “He donated his heart according to his wishes and a kidney. We know they are alive and well and the transplants have been successful.”

Paying tribute to her brother, Emily added: “He was cheeky and enjoyed a night out. He liked the good things. He has a great group of friends who have been wonderful and supportive. We would like to thank them and everyone involved in Joe’s care.’

Coroner Julie Mitchell praised the family for their efforts to save Mr Higginson’s life and said they could not have done more. She noted a conclusion of a setback.

The coroner said the restaurant had clearly indicated the dish contained almonds and said Mr Higginson was ‘well aware’ it was a ‘risky food for him to consume’. But she said he chose this meal because he had “tolerated” it before, as well as almonds.

Restaurant Mala declined to comment.

This isn’t the first time takeaways have been embroiled in a nut allergy scandal.

In January 2024, the manager of a restaurant that provided a nut allergy sufferer with a peanut takeaway pizza told his inquest that it was up to customers to inform staff if they had a potentially fatal health condition.

Computer programmer James Atkinson died in July 2020 after eating less than a piece of his chicken tikka masala pizza from Dadyal in Newcastle.

Terrified James, who ordered the meal from his home in Jesmond via the Deliveroo app, quickly fell ill and asked paramedics ‘am I dying’ before passing out. He died an hour later in hospital, despite doctors’ attempts to save him.