A severe allergic reaction to a dessert falsely labeled as vegan led to the death of a 20-year-old fashion student named Anna Bellisario in Milan, Italy.
The incident, which occurred after Bellisario consumed a tiramisu at a local vegan burger chain, has sparked a manslaughter investigation and highlighted concerns over food allergen labeling.
On January 26, 2023, Bellisario, who had a known severe dairy allergy, dined with her boyfriend at Flower Burger, a vegan burger chain in Milan. She chose a dessert named “Tiramisun Mascherpa,” advertised as vegan. However, after eating only a few spoonfuls, she experienced coughing and difficulty breathing, symptomatic of anaphylactic shock. Despite her attempts to counteract the reaction by inducing vomiting and taking asthma medication and cortisone, Bellisario lost consciousness. She was subsequently hospitalized at San Raffaele Hospital and remained in a coma for 10 days before passing away on February 5, 2023.
Bellisario had suffered from the allergy since birth and had eaten several times at the restaurant without incident.
Investigations following the incident revealed that the tiramisu, supplied to Flower Burger by a local pastry company, contained traces of dairy, despite its vegan labeling. Testing identified the presence of milk and milk protein in the dessert, as well as egg in a mayonnaise used in a sandwich ordered by Bellisario. The pastry company, Tiramisun, owned by a mother and daughter, is currently under investigation for manslaughter. The Italian Ministry of Health has ordered a recall of the “vegan” tiramisu, suspecting it contained milk.
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding food allergen labeling and the risks posed to individuals with severe allergies. Prosecutors argue that the death could have been avoided if better measures were in place at the pastry company to prevent cross-contamination and ensure accurate labeling. This event underscores the need for stringent regulations and practices to safeguard consumers, particularly those with life-threatening allergies.
Bellisario’s death has also led to calls for improved training and awareness in the food service industry regarding allergen information. The Italian Ministry of Health is considering stricter regulations for food labeling to prevent similar incidents. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact cause of the mislabeling and the steps necessary to avoid future occurrences.