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Swedish teen dead after eating tacos

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Swedish teen dead after eating tacos

A 16-year-old Swedish girl in eastern Sweden has died from an allergic reaction following a meal of tacos, with her family members now claiming that Swedish food needs clearer packaging contents.

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Elin Wahlgren, 16, from Gävle ate taco chips, quorn meat, guacamole and cheddar dip with a friend on Tuesday evening. Two days later she was dead. Wahlgren was allergic to nuts and her family has been left reeling by her death.

"She was very careful to read the packaging. If it said that the item contained nuts then she would choose something else," her mother Ann-Sofie told the Gefle Dagblad newspaper.

The teenager was rushed to hospital after having difficulty breathing and despite frantic attempts to save her life she died on Thursday.

According to the hospital, Wahlgren's death was cause by a severe allergic reaction. However, what exactly caused it remains unknown at present.

The leftover snacks are currently being analysed by the local health authority in Sandviken. Her mother said she wants more accurate text on packaging.

"We don't know yet if it was because of the food but it does not feel good knowing these items remain on the shelves."

The grieving mother is anxious to raise awareness of nut allergies.

"They talk about it a little but now it has become very obvious. You wonder why the topic is not raised. This should not need to hit more (people)," she added.

Doctor and allergy professor Magnus Wickman said that nut allergy deaths like Wahlgren's are scarce in Sweden.

"It's rare that people die of food allergies. In Sweden there have been three deaths in the last six years," he told the Aftonbladet newspaper.

He added that people suffering from nut allergies should always have two adrenaline shots on them in case of emergency.

TT/The Local/pr

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