NOVATO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: In this photo illustration, a Panera Bread mango yuzu citrus charged lemonade is displayed at a Panera Bread restaurant on November 01, 2023 in Novato, California. Missouri based Panera Bread announced plans to lay off 17 percent of its 1800 corporate staff as the company streamlines its operations ahead of an initial public offering. (Photo illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
OAN’s Abril Elfi
4:50 PM – Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Panera has stated that they plan to stop selling their charged lemonade amid wrongful death lawsuits.
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On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the company confirmed that they will phase out the caffeine-laden lemonade drink nationwide.
This comes as Panera changes its drink menu to include more “low-caffeine” options in response to claims that the caffeinated lemonade drinks were the cause of two fatalities.
According to a different plaintiff, Panera’s Charged Lemonade caused her to develop chronic heart issues. However, the reason behind Panera’s Charged Sips phase-out was not disclosed.
“We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire — ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low-sugar and low-caffeine options,” Panera said of its recent menu changes. The company’s new beverage offerings include a “Blueberry Lavender Lemonade” among other options.
After consuming a Charged Lemonade beverage, 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a college student with a heart condition, passed away in September 2022. Her family sued Panera, claiming there was no warning that the lemonade drink, which has more caffeine than Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink combined.
According to a second lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court, Dennis Brown of Fleming Island, Florida, allegedly downed three of the drinks and unknowingly consumed high levels of caffeine before passing away from cardiac arrest.
The Charged Sips drinks are listed as having anywhere from 155 to 302 milligrams of caffeine on their website. There is a warning on the package saying that “children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women” shouldn’t use them.
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