Harry Kitto dies from peanut allergy in Buenos Aires

Harry Kitto, a 24-year-old British traveler, has died following a severe anaphylactic reaction in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The tragic incident occurred after he consumed churros at a local café that had explicitly assured him the food was free from peanuts. A UK inquest into the matter has officially recorded a verdict of accidental death, highlighting the lethal risks of trace contamination in food prepared for those with severe allergies.

The allergic reaction took place on October 30, 2025, while Kitto was on a South American tour. Despite his diligence in checking ingredients with café staff, he suffered a violent response shortly after eating. Laboratory analysis presented during the inquest revealed that the churros contained 20 milligrams of peanut protein per kilogram. This trace amount was sufficient to trigger a fatal response in Kitto, who was hospitalized but ultimately succumbed to the reaction.

Kitto’s mother shared her pride in the strength her son displayed during his final days in the hospital. The inquiry noted that Kitto was experienced in managing his condition while traveling, having safely consumed similar snacks in Mexico and Peru earlier in his trip. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with severe food allergies when navigating international dining where food preparation standards and cross-contamination protocols may vary.

Health experts often advise travelers with severe allergies to carry multiple epinephrine auto-injectors and translation cards, though this case demonstrates that even cautious measures can be compromised by inaccurate information from food establishments. The verdict of accidental death concludes the formal legal inquiry into a loss that has left a family grieving a young man described as brave and adventurous.