Panera Bread says it’s axing popular item from its menus after spate of deaths
Panera Bread will phase out its controversial Charged Lemonade drinks from stores nationwide after they were linked to a several deaths.
A spokesperson for the chain said the change was part of a ‘menu transformation’ and internal memos suggest it could begin within the next two weeks.
The move comes after lawsuits filed against the company blamed the highly caffeinated drinks for two deaths and heart damage in a third patient.
The family of a Pennsylvania college student who had a pre-existing heart condition alleged she died after drinking a large Charged Lemonade last year.
A second lawsuit was filed in December by the family of a disabled Florida man, 46, who also died after drinking several Charged Lemonades.
Sarah Katz (pictured) died on September 10, 2022, just hours after she consumed a large Charged Lemonade from a branch of Panera Bread in Philadelphia
The lawsuit claims that Mr Brown was ‘reasonably confident it was a traditional lemonade containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for him to drink’
A regular size of Charged Lemonade, which is 20 ounces, has 260 milligrams of caffeine. The large, which comes in a 30-ounce cup, has 390 milligrams
A third lawsuit was filed in January by Lauren Skerritt, a 28-year-old from Rhode Island who claimed the beverage left her with ‘permanent’ heart injuries.
A 30-ounce large Charged Lemonade contains 390 milligrams, which is nearly the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) entire recommended daily limit.
A spokesperson for Panera told NBC News Tuesday that the phasing out of the drinks was due to customer feedback.
‘We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire — ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low sugar and low-caffeine options,’ they said.
After news of the first lawsuit broke, Panera put more detailed disclosures in all of its restaurants and on its website warning customers to consume the drinks in moderation.
The chain also stated that they were not recommended for for children, pregnant women, breastfeeding moms or people sensitive to caffeine.
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