The family of a professional dancer who tragically passed away after eating a mislabeled packet of cookies has paid tribute.
As previously reported, 25-year-old Órla Baxendale died on January 11 after consuming a Vanilla Florentine cookie that had been purchased from a Stew Leonard’s grocery store.
While rehearsing at a dance studio in Connecticut, the mislabelled treat - which contained undisclosed peanuts - triggered a severe allergic reaction that resulted in anaphylactic shock, as confirmed by a law firm representing her family.
Attorney Marijo Adimey revealed in a statement that Órla's death "stemmed from an unfortunate incident involving the consumption of a cookie manufactured by Cookies United and sold by Stew Leonard’s, which contained undisclosed peanuts."
Credit: Instrgam/ orla_baxendaleAdimey added that Órla was exceptionally cautious about her diet, meticulously checking all ingredient labels. She always carried an EpiPen and surrounded herself with individuals who knew how to administer it in case of an emergency. Sadly, the anaphylactic shock the dancer suffered was too severe to be treated by her EpiPen.
Both Stew Leonard’s and Cookies United have issued statements regarding Baxendale's death - each contesting who the blame should fall upon.
Credit: Connecticut Department of Public HealthStew Leonard’s CEO, Stew Leonard Jr, expressed deep sympathy for the family's loss, emphasizing the profound impact of such a tragedy. He asserted that the Long Island bakery responsible for supplying the cookies failed to inform them of changes in ingredients, leading to the devastating outcome.
In a video statement alongside employees, Leonard Jr. stated: "I’m here with our family and, I mean we’re just all devastated, very sad. I have four daughters, one of them is in her 20s. I can imagine how that family feels right now."
However, Cookies United contended that it had communicated the ingredient change to Stew Leonard's months before the incident. According to the wholesaler, Stew Leonard’s had been notified in the summer of 2023 that the product contained peanuts, and all shipped products were "labeled accordingly".
A statement from Cookies United, released on Tuesday, read: "Stew Leonard’s claimed in an earlier press release that ‘the cookies contain peanuts, which was an ingredient not disclosed to Stew Leonard’s by the manufacturer. Unfortunately, considering the tragedy of these circumstances, we need to point out that Stew Leonard’s was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now contains peanuts, and all products shipped to them have been labeled accordingly."
The legal team representing Baxendale's estate has since stated that legal action is being taken over the matter, which they have described as being absolutely "tragic and preventable".
Órla's siblings have also spoken out about their sister's tragic death.
Her sister, Niamh, said in an Instagram post that "it’s so heartbreaking that allergies can still take lives in 2024."
"Órla was so careful and it wasn’t enough to keep her with us, she was taken far too soon by a severe allergic reaction to a food product," the sister added, before urging people to educate themselves on anaphylaxis and how to potentially save a life.
She then asked for donations to be made to the charity Allergy UK, which is "raising the profile of allergies and one of the most important campaigns is the correct labeling of products."
"Mislabelling food can kill," Niamh added. "Goodbye my tiny dancer, I love you."
Órla's other sister, Ciara, also shared a touching tribute to her sister, writing: "Órla was radiant, a dreamer.
"I am so honored to say that this girl is my sister, she was just so cherished by everyone. She aimed for the stars and truly deeply lived for her dreams every day of her life. I’ll never stop talking about my Órla. I felt like she was my twin, my little sidekick. She used to always joke and say that she was my mini me, but there is no one like Órla. She was so unique and special, there never was anyone like her and there never will be."
If you met her, you are lucky, she was just such a warm and golden soul, she’s left a trail of light behind her and she will never be forgotten," Ciara added, before once again highlighting the dangers around the lack of education and awareness over allergies.
"It is just incomprehensible that allergies can take lives and it’s a tragedy and a living nightmare that they do. Please, please educate yourself and everyone around you about anaphylaxis, how to use epipens and how to spot the warning signs for severe allergic reactions.
"I wouldn’t want this to happen to any other family, the pain we feel for her absence we will never have the words for. I love her with my whole entire heart and her presence in our lives will be missed forever. I really hope our little Órla is somewhere dancing amongst the stars."
Our thoughts continue to go out to
