A promising 25-year-old professional dancer living in New York City has died after suffering an apparent allergic reaction from eating cookies recalled by Stew Leonard’s grocery store. The family is devastated and their attorney says the death was “100% preventable.”
Orla Baxendale had been working and living in Manhattan for six years after moving from the UK. Her attorney Marijo Adimey described Baxendale as a “25-year-old young, vivacious, beautiful professional dancer” who came from a wonderful family back in Britain. According to Adimey, Baxendale went into fatal anaphylactic shock caused by an allergic reaction after eating the now recalled Florentine Cookies sold at Stew Leonard’s.
“The fact that she isn’t with us today is absolutely unreal,” Adimey lamented about the tragic and sudden passing of the young dancer. Authorities report Baxendale consumed the cookie at a social gathering in Connecticut before having the reaction.
Stew Leonard himself released a video statement expressing sympathy and saying “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 twenties. I can imagine how that family feels right now.” However, the grocery chain is also facing scrutiny after the cookie wholesaler claimed it did inform Stew Leonard’s over the summer that the recipe had changed to include peanuts.
The Long Island company Cookies United revealed that back in July 2022 it notified Stew Leonard’s that the ingredient list for the Florentine Cookies had been altered to add peanuts. According to Cookies United, when the product leaves their facility the packaging clearly states it contains peanuts. But by the time the cookies reach Stew Leonard’s stores, they are repackaged without listing peanuts in the ingredients.
This alleged failure to communicate the change and properly update labeling is now central to the investigation into Baxendale’s death. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection noted that the packaging did not indicate peanuts were in the cookies when Baxendale ate one. Stew Leonard’s has issued a recall for the cookies in the wake of the tragedy.
Allergist Dr. Punita Ponda called Baxendale’s passing “completely tragic” and emphasized that food allergy fatalities can often be prevented with proper care and communication. She advised that people with severe allergies must always have epinephrine injectors like EpiPens with them when out and should review their allergy action plans regularly with family.
“It’s like when you go out and you want to make sure you have your wallet and ID with you. It’s the same thing. If you’re going on and could be exposed to food in any situation, you should bring your EpiPen,” Dr. Ponda explained. She said catching the first symptoms quickly and administering epinephrine can make the difference in surviving anaphylaxis.
While investigations continue and the dancer’s grieving family searches for answers, her case underscores the life and death importance of clear food allergen labeling and awareness. Allergists urge those with known severe allergies to be extra vigilant about ingredients and carry emergency medication at all times, as even one bite of an unsafe food can unleash a deadly reaction. Proper communication up and down the supply chain regarding allergens is also critical to prevent further heartbreaking losses.
