The family of an Ivy League student who died after drinking a highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade that was sold by Panera Bread has won a lawsuit against the US bakery chain, says their lawyer. Sarah Katz, who had a heart condition, went into cardiac arrest hours after drinking the beverage from a Panera Bread in Philadelphia in September 2022.
Panera Bread settles first death
The 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the chain in October last year. It was the first of four lawsuits, which referred to Charged Lemonade as a “dangerous energy drink”. Panera Bread stopped selling the beverage in May. MS Katz had avoided energy drinks under doctors’ recommendations because she had been diagnosed as a child with a heart condition known as long QT syndrome type 1.
Panera Bread has reached a settlement in the first lawsuit filed over the death of a customer allegedly caused by its highly caffeinated “Charged Lemonade” drink. The lawsuit was brought by the family of a 21-year-old woman who passed away after consuming the beverage, which contains a significant amount of caffeine and other stimulants.
The lawsuit claimed that Panera failed to adequately warn customers about the high caffeine content of its Charged Lemonade, marketed as a refreshing drink, but containing more caffeine than energy drinks like Red Bull or Monster. The family’s legal team argued that the young woman, who had an underlying heart condition, was unaware of the drink’s potent ingredients when she consumed it.
According to reports, the woman, a college student, suffered a fatal cardiac event after drinking the Charged Lemonade. Her family filed the wrongful death lawsuit, accusing Panera of negligence for not properly disclosing the health risks of the beverage, especially to consumers with medical conditions sensitive to stimulants.
Panera Bread, in its defense, stated that the ingredients and nutritional information for its beverages, including the caffeine content, are clearly listed on its website and in stores. However, following the lawsuit, the company has faced mounting pressure to reconsider how it markets the drink and to improve the visibility of its warning labels.
In a statement following the settlement, the family’s attorney emphasized the importance of companies being transparent with consumers about potentially dangerous products. The terms of the settlement remain confidential, but the case has sparked broader conversations about the responsibility of food and beverage companies to protect consumers from unexpected health risks.
Panera Bread has not admitted any wrongdoing but expressed sympathy for the family, saying in a statement, “Our hearts go out to the family affected by this tragic incident. We take our responsibility to provide safe and transparent options for our customers very seriously and are reviewing our policies around the marketing and labeling of all products.”
As the case draws to a close, consumer advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations on beverages with high caffeine content and clearer labeling requirements, especially in fast-casual restaurants where such drinks may be less expected.
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