Restaurant chain Panera announced today that it will no longer be selling its Charged Sips caffeinated beverages, which have been the subject of multiple lawsuits.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed to CBS MoneyWatch that Panera will be phasing out the caffeine-infused lemonade drinks nationwide. As of today, the drinks were still listed for sale on Panera's website.
This decision comes as Panera is updating its menu to introduce new "low-caffeine" drink options in response to claims that the caffeinated lemonade beverages have been linked to two deaths. One plaintiff has also alleged that Panera's Charged Lemonade has led to long-term heart problems. Panera has not provided a reason for discontinuing Charged Sips and has refrained from commenting on ongoing legal matters.
"After gathering feedback from over 30,000 customers regarding their preferences at Panera, we are now focusing on expanding our beverage selection to meet the diverse needs of our patrons. This includes offering a variety of flavors, as well as options with reduced sugar and caffeine," Panera stated regarding its recent menu adjustments. The company's new drink lineup features a "Blueberry Lavender Lemonade" and other choices.
Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old college student with a heart condition, passed away in September 2022 after consuming a Charged Lemonade beverage. Her family initiated legal action against Panera claiming that the lemonade drink, which contains higher caffeine levels than Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink combined, was not labeled with a warning.
Another lawsuit states that Dennis Brown from Fleming Island, Florida, suffered cardiac arrest after consuming three of the drinks and unknowingly ingesting high levels of caffeine, as per the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Delaware.
As per Panera's official website, the Charged Sips beverages contain between 155 and 302 milligrams of Caffeine. They are accompanied by a warning stating they are not suitable for "children, individuals sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women."
For most healthy adults, it is generally safe to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, according to The Mayo Clinic. This is roughly equivalent to about four cups of coffee or 10 cans of soda.
