Police are considering pursuing ‘criminal offences’ under food safety laws after a student died from a suspected allergy attack at Manchester’s Almost Famous restaurant.
University of Manchester student Shahida Shahid tragically died in hospital after suffering a suspected allergic reaction following a meal at the city-centre burger bar last month.
Detective inspector Neil Coop revealed that GMP and Manchester City Council’s Environmental Health department are carrying out a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding 18-year-old Shahida’s death.
“This investigation has a wide remit and will look at possible criminal offences under the Food Information Regulations and serious breaches of food safety legislation,” he said.
“Given the complexity of those inquiries and that the legislation is relatively new, this is likely to be a protracted investigation.
“However, it is vitally important we take that time to establish all the facts so we can understand exactly what happened and how Shahida tragically died.”
Shahida, from Salford, was rushed to hospital on the evening of Friday January 9, after collapsing on Withy Grove in Manchester city centre. She sadly died a few days later.
Inquiries later established Shahida had been out for a meal in The Great Northern prior to her collapse and may have suffered an allergic reaction to her food.
“It has been a month since Shahida’s family suffered a terrible loss and a young girl lost her life,” Detective Coop said.
“Clearly her family both want, and deserve answers, are we are determined to get those answers for them.
“I would therefore continue to ask anyone who has information about what happened to contact us and help us with our inquiries.”
Cllr Bernard Priest, Manchester City Council’s deputy leader, said: “This was a tragic case in which a teenage girl lost her life, and I would urge anyone who knows anything about what happened to contact the police with information.”
Officers are also continuing to appeal to anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8531.
