Panera Removes 'Charged Lemonade' from Self-Serve Fountains Amid Lawsuits

Multiple lawsuits allege the high-caffeine drink caused health defects and fatalities.

Panera Bread has removed its 'Charged Lemonade' from self-serve fountains in some locations following multiple lawsuits alleging the drink caused health defects and in some cases fatalities.
Lauren Skerritt, a 28-year-old athlete, filed a lawsuit against Panera claiming that drinking the Charged Lemonade caused her to have permanent cardiac injuries.
Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old college student with a heart condition, died in September 2022 after drinking Panera’s caffeinated lemonade.
Dennis Brown died on Oct. 9 after consuming three cups of Panera’s Charged Lemonade. Brown’s cause of death was cardiac arrest due to hypertensive disease.
Despite the lawsuits, Panera's Charged Lemonade is still available for purchase, but customers cannot serve themselves or get a refill, and must rely on an employee to do so.