BRITISH TRAVELLER, 24, diᩚєs AFTER FATAL ALLERGIC REACTION IN ARGENTINA — INQUEST REVEALS CHURROS CONTAINED PEANUT PROTEIN

Harry James Kitto was travelling through South America with his girlfriend when he suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating at a famous Buenos Aires café. His family is now sharing his story in the hope of preventing another tᩚraɢedy.

A young British traveller died after suffering a catastrophic allergic reaction while visiting a popular café in Argentina, an inquest has heard.

Harry James Kitto, 24, from Falmouth, Cornwall, was exploring South America with his girlfriend, Naomi Pye, when the couple stopped at Café Tortoni, a well-known destination in Buenos Aires, on October 30, 2025.

Harry had a severe peanut allergy. Before ordering churros and hot chocolate, the couple reportedly asked café staff whether the food contained nuts and were reassured that it did not.

But shortly after eating, Harry began to feel unwell.

What followed was a desperate attempt to save his life, a week-long hospital battle and a devastating loss for a family who had been waiting for him to return home.

REASSURED THAT THE FOOD WAS SAFE

Harry and Naomi had been travelling across South America, visiting destinations including Mexico, Guatemala and Peru.

Their stop at Café Tortoni was intended to be another memorable experience during their adventure.

According to evidence heard at Cornwall Coroner’s Court, the couple asked staff in both English and Spanish whether the churros contained peanuts because of Harry’s allergy.

They were reportedly told that the food did not contain nuts.

After eating, Harry began to feel that something was wrong. Naomi asked staff again whether the churros contained peanuts and, according to her evidence, received another firm denial.

The couple later ordered a second serving. Harry again became seriously unwell.

The inquest heard that the situation deteriorated as the couple made their way back to their accommodation.

A DESPERATE RACE TO SAVE HIS LIFE

As Harry’s symptoms worsened, his lips began to swell and he struggled to breathe.

Naomi called emergency services and rushed to retrieve an adrenaline auto-injector, commonly known as an EpiPen, which she administered to him.

Harry was taken to hospital by ambulance. During the journey, his heart stopped for approximately 11 minutes before medical staff managed to restart it.

He was admitted to intensive care, where doctors worked to treat the consequences of the severe reaction.

Despite their efforts, Harry suffered irreversible brain damage associated with the anaphylactic reaction and lack of oxygen.

He died on November 7, 2025, approximately one week after becoming unwell.

His family had travelled to Argentina to be with him during his final days.

LABORATORY TESTS FOUND PEANUT PROTEIN

Following Harry’s dєatᩚh, his father and brother returned to Café Tortoni and ordered the same food.

According to evidence presented at the inquest, they again asked staff whether the churros and hot chocolate contained peanuts.

They reportedly received assurances that they did not.

The family subsequently arranged for a sample of the churro to be tested at a laboratory.

The results showed that the sample contained 20 milligrams of peanut protein per kilogram.

The finding was a crucial part of the evidence examined during the inquest, particularly given the assurances Harry and Naomi had reportedly received before ordering.

The result established that peanut protein was present in the tested sample. It did not, by itself, determine how the contamination occurred or establish individual responsibility.

HIS FAMILY REMEMBERS A YOUNG MAN FULL OF LIFE

Harry’s dєatᩚh left his family devastated.

He had been travelling with Naomi and was reportedly only days away from returning home when the incident occurred.

His loved ones remembered him as kind, adventurous, funny and full of life.

During the week he spent in hospital, they held on to hope as doctors fought to save him. Eventually, the medical team confirmed that his brain injury was irreversible.

His family described the strength and determination he showed throughout those difficult days as extraordinary.

They were also faced with the painful task of arranging to bring him home from Argentina.

A fundraising appeal received thousands of donations, raising approximately £71,500 to help cover repatriation and related expenses.

The family expressed gratitude for the support they received and said Harry’s courage had made them immensely proud.

AN INQUEST CONCLUDES HIS dєatᩚh WAS ACCIDENTAL

At the inquest held at Truro Coroner’s Court in October 2026, the circumstances of Harry’s final days were examined.

Assistant Coroner Emma Hillson concluded that his dєatᩚh was accidental.

The hearing brought renewed attention to the serious risks faced by people with severe food allergies, particularly when eating in unfamiliar environments or travelling in countries where language barriers can complicate communication.

For Harry’s family, the inquest offered an opportunity to establish more clearly what had happened during a trip that should have been filled with happy memories.

However, the conclusion that his dєatᩚh was accidental does not, on its own, establish that any particular person or business was legally responsible.

A WARNING ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FOOD ALLERGIES

Harry’s story highlights the importance of reliable allergen information and clear communication between customers and food-service staff.

For someone with a severe peanut allergy, even a small amount of the allergen can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical treatment.

Travelling abroad can make managing an allergy more complicated because food preparation practices, allergen labelling and communication may differ from those at home.

People with severe allergies are generally advised to carry their prescribed emergency medication, communicate their allergy clearly and seek urgent medical help if a serious reaction develops.

Harry had taken steps to ask about the food before eating. His experience demonstrates why accurate information matters so much to people who depend on it to make safe choices.

A LEGACY THAT MAY HELP PROTECT OTHERS

Harry was just 24. He had been exploring new places, sharing experiences with his girlfriend and preparing to return home to the people who loved him.

His dєatᩚh has left a lasting impact on his family, who hope that sharing his story will help improve awareness of food allergies and prevent another family from experiencing the same heartbreak.

Their loss cannot be undone, but the lessons drawn from the inquest may help encourage better allergen communication and safer food practices.

Harry Kitto set out on a South American adventure with so much still ahead of him. His family now hopes that by telling the story of what happened in Argentina, his memory can help protect others living with severe food allergies.

Based on reporting by The Sun, BBC-related coverage, Voice Newspapers and Natasha’s Foundation. The inquest concluded that Harry’s dєatᩚh was accidental. The laboratory test identified peanut protein in the churro sample, while the precise circumstances of contamination were not established by that result alone.