Panera Bread announced on Tuesday its decision to discontinue its Charged Lemonade, a beverage linked to controversy and legal battles following reports of fatalities allegedly associated with its consumption, reported CNBC.
The move comes in response to a wave of lawsuits implicating the highly caffeinated drink in the deaths of two individuals, along with claims of serious health complications by others.
One lawsuit, filed in October by the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student, attributed her demise to complications arising from her consumption of Charged Lemonade. Katz, who had a preexisting heart condition, experienced fatal consequences after ingesting the beverage.
A subsequent lawsuit, brought forth in December by the family of Dennis Brown, a Florida man with underlying health conditions, echoed similar concerns, linking his death to the consumption of the controversial drink.
A third lawsuit, filed in January by Lauren Skerritt of Rhode Island, alleged enduring cardiac injuries as a result of consuming Charged Lemonade.
Panera’s decision to discontinue the beverage nationwide follows what the company terms a “recent menu transformation,” according to a spokesperson. The decision reflects the company’s commitment to meeting customer preferences, focusing on offering a diverse range of beverages, including options with “low sugar and caffeine” content.
Initially marketed as “Plant-based and clean with as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee,” Panera’s Charged Lemonade faced scrutiny over its caffeine content. The lawsuits pointed out that a large 30-fluid-ounce serving contained 390 milligrams of caffeine, exceeding the caffeine levels in the company’s dark roast coffee.
Responding to concerns, Panera revised its nutritional information to clarify the caffeine content in Charged Lemonade, acknowledging that a large serving with ice contains 302 milligrams of caffeine.
While the Food and Drug Administration deems 400 milligrams of caffeine a safe daily limit for healthy adults, concerns over the potency of Charged Lemonade persisted.
In the wake of the lawsuits, Panera implemented enhanced disclosures in its establishments and online platforms, cautioning against excessive consumption of Charged Lemonade, especially for children, caffeine-sensitive individuals, and pregnant or nursing women.
Victoria Rose Conroy, a friend of Sarah Katz, expressed disbelief to NBC News in October over the beverage’s caffeine content, emphasizing Katz’s “vigilance” in safeguarding her health.
Panera previously extended condolences to the affected families but maintained its stance on the safety of its menu offerings, asserting that the unfortunate incidents were not directly linked to its products.
Internal memos obtained by NBC News indicate that Panera employees received directives to cease ordering ingredients for Charged Lemonade, signaling its imminent discontinuation from menus nationwide.
While some employees confirmed awareness of the impending change, others remained uninformed, highlighting discrepancies in communication across Panera locations.
Elizabeth Crawford, representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuits, welcomed Panera’s decision as a positive step towards preventing further harm, acknowledging its potential to safeguard others from similar tragedies.
“This is exactly what we set out to do, to some extent, is to make sure that this poison is taken off the shelves,” she said in an exclusive interview with NBC News. “Obviously, it won’t bring back Sarah, and it won’t bring back Dennis and the life that Lauren used to have.”
“But at least what it will do is prevent this from happening to someone else,” she said.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Read the full article here