Panera Issues New Caffeine Warnings on Charged Lemonade Following Death of Student and Ensuing Lawsuit

New warnings disclose high caffeine content in restaurant's Charged Lemonade; Panera's update comes after a lawsuit claiming a student with a heart condition died after consuming the beverage, despite her usual avoidance of highly-caffeinated drinks.

Following a lawsuit over a customer's death allegedly tied to high caffeine levels in Panera's Charged Lemonade, the restaurant chain has implemented new warnings on the beverage signage and website. These alerts highlight the lemonade's high caffeine content and advise against consumption by children, pregnant or nursing individuals, and those sensitive to caffeine.
The lawsuit was filed in response to the tragic death of 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a diagnosed heart condition. Katz's family believes that her consumption of the Charged Lemonade, which she mistook for a regular lemonade or electrolyte drink with a safe amount of caffeine, led to her cardiac arrest and subsequent death.
A regular-sized Charged Lemonade at Panera contains 260 milligrams of caffeine, while a large has 390 milligrams, approximately equivalent to the caffeine in Panera's Dark Roast coffee. These levels approach the FDA's recommended maximum daily intake of 400 milligrams for healthy adults.
Sarah Katz had been part of Panera's Unlimited Sip Club, which offered unlimited refills on certain beverages, including the Charged Lemonade. The family's attorney criticized such promotions, which could suggest the safety of consuming more than one portion despite the beverage's high caffeine content.
While Panera insists that it has always listed caffeine content for its beverages, critics argue that its previous disclosures fell short. The current situation has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to gather information about the Charged Lemonade.

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