THE HEARTBROKEN parents of a teenager who died after having an allergic reaction to a takeaway have spoken out to encourage businesses to be allergy aware.

Megan Lee, a nut allergy sufferer, died from an asthma attack after she ate food from the Royal Spice takeaway in Oswaldtwistle.

Now, almost two years after the 15-year-old’s death on New Year’s Day in 2017, her dad Adam Lee and mum Gemma Lee, have made a film urging businesses to have the right attitude to allergens.

The video has been made in conjunction with trading standards officers at Lancashire County Council and features treasured photos and video of the Oswaldtwistle schoolgirl growing up.

Lancashire Telegraph:

They hope the video will help stop another family going through the same ordeal they have.

The pair, who live with son Owen Lee, nine, in Oswaldtwistle, said: “We are fully behind the campaign as it’s so important that food businesses realise the implications of not following regulations.

“Christmas and New Year is a busy time for food businesses but that’s not a reason for complacency, as they still need to adhere to regulations and maintain standards.”

Both the takeaway owner Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 40, and manager Harun Rashid, 38, have been jailed after being convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence.

But Adam and Gemma said: “The sentencing isn’t the most important thing as nothing will replace the loss of our daughter.

“What matters is the message that is sent out which is that if certain food businesses carry on in a deplorable manner there will be consequences.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

To remember Megan, her parents said they have an advent calendar up on the fireplace of their home with different photos of their daughter in each box.

They described Megan, a student at St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington, as a girl who always had a smile on her face.

Since Megan’s death, her parents and the community have set about raising money in her memory.

It has seen £30,000 raised so far for the Anaphylaxis Campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of allergies.

Fundraising events have included fun runs and a skydive from her father Adam.

The pair added: “It’s a real struggle for us, especially at this time of the year knowing we’ve lost our beautiful daughter.

“Megan loved school and worked really hard and we were really upset that Megan didn’t get a chance to sit her GCSEs.

“She loved musical theatre and wanted to go into that and always had a smile on her face.

“The most important message for us is that food businesses are responsible and look after their customers, providing safe food and utilising the tools available to them from the county council.”

David Scott, trading standards manager at the county council, said: “I hope that by them bravely speaking out in this way it will make businesses think about their responsibilities when it comes to knowing about the food they serve and allergens they contain.”

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for the county council, added: “We want to reach as many people as possible with the message behind this campaign and hope the video will help prevent another tragedy from happening.”