A beloved New York doctor’s recent death has shocked the Disney World community and raised concerns about food allergy safety at the resort’s restaurants. 42-year-old Dr. Kanokporn “Amy” Tangsuan, a physician at NYU Langone Hospital, died on October 5th, 2023 after suffering a severe allergic reaction from food she ate at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant located in Disney Springs. According to an autopsy report, Tangsuan’s cause of death was ruled “a result of anaphylaxis due to elevated levels of dairy and nut” stemming from her meal at the pub.
Tangsuan’s grieving husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on February 23rd against both Raglan Road and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Inc. seeking over $50,000 in damages. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of both Raglan Road staff and Disney in failing to provide truly allergen-free food as promised. The incident has raised concerns among allergy advocates and Disney fans about the safety protocols and training at Disney eateries. It also spotlights Raglan Road’s reputation for authentic Irish fare alongside lively entertainment.
History of Raglan Road Irish Pub
Raglan Road Irish Pub first opened its doors in 2005 in what was then known as Downtown Disney (now called Disney Springs). The pub aims to authentically bring Irish culture to life through its food, drink, music, and design. The pub was built by a team of Irish craftspeople using antique materials actually shipped over from Ireland. Its owners, John Cooke and Paul Nolan, are seasoned Irish hospitality entrepreneurs who have opened Irish bars around the world. Their goal was to transport guests to an authentic Dublin Victorian pub through every detail at Raglan Road.
Over the years, Raglan Road has become one of the most popular spots in all of Disney World, known for its strong Irish staples like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and Irish stew alongside an extensive beer menu. It also hosts live entertainment like traditional Irish bands and dancers every night. The pub has garnered numerous accolades, including being named the #1 gastropub in the Orlando area multiple times. It also lays claim to pouring more pints of Guinness than any other pub in America.
The Tragic Incident
According to Piccolo’s lawsuit and multiple news reports, here is what transpired on the evening of October 5th that led to Tangsuan’s death:Tangsuan, her husband Piccolo, and his mother arrived at Raglan Road for dinner around 8pm. Upon being greeted by their server, Tangsuan emphasized that she had severe allergies to nuts and dairy and needed confirmation that various menu items were free of allergens before ordering.” The waiter unequivocally assured them that the food would be allergen free,” the lawsuit states.
Tangsuan ultimately ordered the broccoli and corn fritters, scallops and onion rings. When the food arrived, some items did not have allergen-free flags. The couple questioned the waiter again about allergens, and he re-confirmed the dishes had been made allergen-free. Roughly 45 minutes after finishing her meal, while Tangsuan was shopping alone nearby, she began to suffer a severe allergic reaction. She self-administered her EpiPen, but soon had trouble breathing and collapsed. Tangsuan was rushed to the hospital by paramedics, where she was later pronounced dead.
Allegations of Negligence
The crux of Piccolo’s lawsuit focuses on allegations of negligence against Raglan Road and Disney Parks. Some key claims include:
- Failure of staff to properly warn about potential allergens still present in dishes despite assurances of being allergen-free
- Failure to accurately track which dishes did or did not contain dairy/nut allergens
- Failure to safely prepare promised allergen-free dishes
- Failure to properly train staff on managing severe food allergies
The lawsuit also notes that both Raglan Road and Disney Parks advertise accommodating food allergies as a top priority. Yet in Tangsuan’s case, the protocol and training appeared inadequate which tragically led to her death. Advocacy groups like Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) have expressed concerns over the incident as well. FARE CEO Lisa Gable told NBC News, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Restaurants have an obligation to train staff about food allergies and put procedures in place to safely serve customers with food allergies.”
Disney’s Health & Safety Rules
As the lawsuit also names Disney Parks and Resorts, it’s important to note the company’s stated health and safety policies related to allergies:
- Disney notes on its dining FAQ site that guests should inform their server about any food allergies. Chefs are also available to discuss and provide allergen-free offerings.
- On a separate FAQ page about park rules, Disney states that “all persons, bags, parcels, clothing and other items may be subject to screening/security checks.” This suggests items such as ingredients would be checked to align with guest needs.
- Disney also has a dedicated dietitian team called Food and Nutrition Services that consults on allergy policies across Disney dining locations.
- Starting in 2017, Disney began adding more allergy-friendly menus and kitchen protocols. However, advocacy groups have called for more stringent food handling training and procedures in Disney kitchens.
While Disney has taken steps to address allergies, Tangsuan’s death indicates potential gaps in communication, training and execution on the front lines. Piccolo’s lawsuit seeks to compel Disney and its vendors to re-examine current practices and make policy changes to prevent similar tragedies.
Ongoing Discussion
Dr. Tangsuan’s death has prompted ongoing discussion about protecting guests with severe allergies. Some key questions include:
How can communication around allergies improve between guests, servers, and kitchen staff?
Protocols requiring managers to personally confirm restrictions and oversee allergen-free orders may help.
What specific training can better equip Disney culinary cast members to safely handle allergens?
Formal instruction on cross-contamination risks, ingredient sourcing, labeling standards are potential areas of focus.
Should Disney’s official allergy policies provide guaranteed safety?
Allergy advocates argue that Disney’s messaging sets high guest expectations, so the resort must meet those standards through updated regulations and auditing across all dining locations.
Do independent Disney restaurants like Raglan Road need closer oversight?
Since Tangsuan’s death occurred at a non-Disney owned eatery, increased scrutiny and accountability for third-parties may be warranted.
The ongoing legal case and public discourse will likely pressure Disney to reassess its current food allergy approach. While no policies can 100% prevent reactions, further action is clearly needed to protect guests. Dr. Tangsuan’s grieving family hopes increased awareness around her death leads to improved allergy safety at Disney and beyond. By honoring her memory, her premature passing may help spare others similar harm in the future.
