An English mother who was highly allergic to tomatoes went into shock and died after opening a can to prepare spaghetti bolognaise for her four children, press reports said on Thursday.
Raya French (37), who knew of her allergy, was opening a tin of minced meat and chopped tomatoes when she suffered anaphylactic shock.
French, who thought she was allergic only to raw tomatoes, was found unconscious on the floor of her home in the village of Tankerton, south-eastern England, by her eldest daughter, Alexandra (15).
She died four days later in hospital.
Husband Stephen said his wife had developed the allergy three years ago. She had suffered hives and asthma attacks and used to administer epinephrine to herself in emergency.
Acting on his wife’s wishes expressed before her death, Stephen French said that he and their children, Alexandra, Tom (10), Maddison (six) and Louis (four), will celebrate Christmas as planned. — Sapa-DPA