In January, 25-year-old professional dancer Órla Baxendale tragically died after consuming mislabeled cookies from Stew Leonard’s, a grocery store chain. She had a severe peanut allergy but the Florentine cookies she ate contained undeclared peanuts, resulting in a fatal allergic reaction. Lawyers representing Baxendale’s estate have filed a wrongful death suit against both Stew Leonard’s and the cookie manufacturer, Cookies United. The complaint alleges that the companies were aware of the labeling error and failed to update the ingredients list, despite previous warnings.
Stew Leonard’s recalled the mislabeled cookies on January 23, 2024, following an alert from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. The company confirmed that someone had died possibly due to consuming the mislabeled product, prompting the removal of all Cookies United products from stores. Cookies United claimed they had alerted multiple Stew Leonard’s employees of the recipe change in July 2023, but the grocery store chain failed to update the packaging. As a result, Baxendale unknowingly ate cookies containing peanuts, leading to her tragic death.
Stew Leonard’s CEO, Leonard Jr., stated in a video message that about 500 units of the mislabeled cookies were sold during the holiday season. The company urged customers to return the products for a full refund and assured cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s investigation. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants exhibited gross negligence, reckless indifference to the rights of others, and intentional violation of those rights. Despite receiving notification of the ingredient change, Stew Leonard’s neglected to update the packaging, contributing to Baxendale’s death.
The lawsuit claims that both Stew Leonard’s and Cookies United disregarded the safety of consumers by failing to disclose the presence of peanuts in the cookies. Baxendale’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accurate food labeling, especially for individuals with severe allergies. The legal action seeks justice for her untimely passing and aims to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence. The case highlights the potential risks associated with mislabeled food products and emphasizes the need for increased diligence in ensuring accurate labeling to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The wrongful death suit against Stew Leonard’s and Cookies United underscores the serious consequences of inadequate food labeling. Baxendale’s death was a direct result of consuming a product that contained undeclared peanuts, a known allergen for her. The legal action seeks to bring justice for her family and raise awareness about the importance of accurate ingredient labeling in preventing allergic reactions and other health risks. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants ignored repeated warnings about the labeling error and failed to take appropriate action, ultimately leading to Baxendale’s tragic demise.
The lawsuit against Stew Leonard’s and Cookies United highlights the need for companies to prioritize consumer safety by ensuring accurate labeling of food products. Baxendale’s death was a preventable tragedy, with the mislabeled cookies ultimately leading to a fatal allergic reaction. The legal action seeks to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and demonstrates the potential consequences of failing to provide accurate information about product ingredients. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency in food labeling and the need for companies to take proactive measures to protect consumers from potential health risks.
