Tragedy struck when Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old Ivy League student with a heart condition, went into cardiac arrest and died after drinking Panera Bread's "charged lemonade," a caffeinated beverage that contains more caffeine than cans of Red Bull and Monster Energy drinks combined. The heartbreaking incident has led to a lawsuit filed by Katz's parents, who argue that Panera failed to adequately warn consumers about the drink's potential dangers.

The lawsuit, filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, describes the charged lemonade as a "dangerous energy drink" and accuses Panera of not properly disclosing its high caffeine content and other ingredients. The legal complaint alleges that Katz, who had long QT syndrome type 1, a heart condition, had been advised by doctors to avoid energy drinks. Despite this, she purchased the drink at a Panera Bread in Philadelphia on September 10, 2022.

According to the wrongful death lawsuit, the charged lemonade was advertised as a "plant-based and clean" drink that contained as much caffeine as Panera's dark roast coffee. However, the complaint asserts that the drink actually contains 390 milligrams of caffeine, higher than any dark roast coffee on the menu. Additionally, the drink is said to contain guayana extract and the equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar.

Lawyer Elizabeth Crawford, representing Katz's family, emphasized that the drink should have had an adequate warning, as it is not the safe lemonade people would assume it to be. She stated, "It's an energy drink that has lemon flavor." Crawford also expressed the family's desire to raise awareness about the dangers of the drink's ingredients, hoping to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.

Katz's friend and roommate, Victoria Rose Conroy, shared that Katz would not have purchased the drink if she had known its caffeine content. Conroy described Katz as a vigilant person who took great care to prioritize her safety. The medical examiner's report confirmed that the cause of Katz's death was cardiac arrhythmia due to long QT syndrome, with no mention of the drink as a contributing factor.

Panera Bread has been contacted for comment, but has yet to respond. The charged lemonade, which is advertised as "the ultimate energy drink" on Panera's website, has garnered attention on social media. In December 2022, a viral TikTok video showed a customer experiencing the drink's effects after consuming multiple refills and jokingly mentioning the possibility of cardiac arrest.

The lawsuit highlights the potential risks associated with caffeine consumption, not only for individuals with heart conditions like long QT syndrome but also for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, and those with underlying health conditions. The Food and Drug Administration warns that large amounts of caffeine can have adverse effects on these populations.

Katz's parents, devastated by their loss, are determined to ensure that consumers are fully aware of the ingredients and potential risks associated with Panera's charged lemonade. They hope that their lawsuit will lead to greater transparency and prevent similar tragedies in the future.