Family call for law change ahead of tenth anniversary of son's death
Eighteen year old Owen Carey, from Sussex, died from a severe allergic reaction in 2017
The family of a Sussex teenager killed by a severe allergic reaction are urging for a law change before the tenth anniversary of his death.
Owen Carey died while celebrating his 18th birthday in 2017, after taking a bite from a burger he'd been reassured was safe for him to eat.
The dish had been marinated in buttermilk - and the teenager collapsed outside the London Eye less than an hour later.
His family are now demanding major allergens are clearly written out at point of ordering, without customers having to ask.
Presently, outlets are able to declare the allergens in any way - including by speaking them - which Owen's dad, Paul, says creates room for error:
"When you do something verbally, that's where mistakes can creep in.
"By putting it in writing and putting it on putting it on something like the menu or an app or on a chalkboard on the wall, you're taking the responsibility for providing that information away from the waiter, and putting it into the hands of the management of the restaurant or the chef.
"You know then it should be more accurate or it should be more reliable."
The family are meeting with ministers today (Monday 27th April) in hopes to get the ball rolling on improving the guidelines.
Paul shared that if something like this had been in place, Owen "would still be alive".
"He was my youngest son, I loved him dearly, I won't get him back.
But if I can stop someone else's youngest son or daughter suffering the same ending, then I will have achieved something and Owen's death won't have been in vain."