In early May, Panera Bread confirmed it was phasing out its Charged Lemonade, a highly-caffeinated line of drinks now at the center of multiple lawsuits against the restaurant chain.
Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuits : Initial Attention
The drinks first gained widespread attention through influencer Sarah Baus, who posted a viral TikTok video in late 2022. Baus claimed she unknowingly consumed “four or five” highly-caffeinated Charged Lemonades, assuming they contained a “normal amount of caffeine.”
While Baus’s video garnered millions of views, others were not as fortunate, leading to a series of lawsuits against Panera Bread.
Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuits : Caffeine Concerns
Panera’s Charged Lemonades contained between 155 and 302 milligrams of caffeine per serving, depending on size and flavor, according to the company. These amounts closely approach the FDA’s recommended daily caffeine limit of 400 milligrams.
A Panera spokesperson stated the chain would pivot to “low sugar and low-caffeine” offerings but did not comment on whether the lawsuits prompted the drink’s discontinuation.
Sarah Katz Case
In October 2023, the parents of University of Pennsylvania student Sarah Katz filed a lawsuit against Panera, alleging their daughter died after consuming Charged Lemonade. Katz, who had a preexisting heart condition and limited her caffeine intake, purchased the drink on Sept. 10, 2022. She went into cardiac arrest and died hours later.
