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.

Katz's roommate, Victoria Rose Conroy, told NBC News, “I guarantee if Sarah had known how much caffeine this was, she never would have touched it with a 10-foot pole.”

A judge denied Panera’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The FDA stated it was investigating Katz's death following the filing. Later that month, Panera began displaying enhanced caffeine disclosures in-store and added warnings on its app.

Dennis Brown Case

In December 2023, Dennis Brown's family filed a lawsuit after the 46-year-old Floridian died following the consumption of three Charged Lemonades. Brown, who had high blood pressure and avoided energy drinks, suffered a cardiac arrest in October.

The lawsuit highlighted that Brown may not have been aware of the drinks' high caffeine content, as they were "offered side-by-side with all of the store’s non-caffeinated and/or less caffeinated drinks.”

Panera expressed sympathy for Brown’s family but denied the drinks caused his death, stating, “Based on our investigation we believe his unfortunate passing was not caused by one of the company’s products.”

Lauren Skerritt Case

In January, 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt from Rhode Island filed a third lawsuit, claiming Charged Lemonade caused her to develop permanent cardiac injuries. An athlete and occupational therapist with no underlying health conditions, Skerritt drank two and a half Charged Lemonades in April 2023 before experiencing heart palpitations. She was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation at the emergency room.

Luke Adams Case

On March 9, 18-year-old Luke Adams alleged that a Charged Lemonade led to his cardiac arrest. Adams consumed the drink with a chicken sandwich and later experienced seizures and cardiac arrest while at a movie theater.

Two nurses and a cardiologist attending the same movie performed CPR and used an AED on Adams. The lawsuit states that "heavy caffeine intake" from Panera Charged Lemonade was identified as the "only potential trigger" for his cardiac arrest.

Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuits :Conclusion

Panera Bread continues to face significant legal challenges due to its Charged Lemonade drinks. The lawsuits highlight serious health risks and the importance of clear caffeine content disclosures, particularly as the chain pivots to safer beverage options.