Panera Bread restaurants have implemented “enhanced” disclosures regarding their highly caffeinated lemonade following a lawsuit filed by the family of a young woman who died after consuming the beverage. The lawsuit alleges that Sarah Katz, an Ivy League student with a heart condition, passed away after drinking Panera's Charged Lemonade in September 2022. A large Charged Lemonade contains 390 milligrams of caffeine, just under the FDA's recommended daily maximum for healthy adults. The legal complaint argues that Panera failed to adequately warn consumers about the drink's ingredients, including guarana extract, another stimulant. In addition to the high caffeine content, the large cup of Charged Lemonade also contains the equivalent of almost 30 teaspoonfuls of sugar, surpassing the caffeine content of standard cans of Red Bull and Monster energy drinks combined.

According to Panera, the caffeine content of Charged Lemonade has always been listed in-store. However, in response to the lawsuit, all Panera stores in North America have added more detailed disclosures about the beverage's caffeine content, consumption moderation, and its inadvisability for certain groups such as children, people sensitive to caffeine, and pregnant or nursing women. Despite this, Elizabeth Crawford, a lawyer representing Katz's family, argues that the new language does not adequately convey the amount of caffeine in the drink or the fact that it contains an additional stimulant. She considers the updated disclosures to be insufficient, stating, "I consider these baby steps."

The FDA has expressed its condolences over Katz's passing and stated that it is currently "gathering information" about her death. Katz, who had a pre-existing heart condition called long QT syndrome type 1, had been advised by her doctors to avoid energy drinks, which she diligently followed. However, she purchased a large Charged Lemonade from a Philadelphia location on September 10, 2022. Hours later, she went into cardiac arrest and ultimately passed away. The lawsuit alleges that the Charged Lemonade was positioned alongside non-caffeinated or less caffeinated drinks in Panera's menu and beverage dispensers.

Panera, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, expressed sadness over Katz's passing and pledged to thoroughly investigate the matter. They maintain a strong belief in ingredient transparency. However, Katz's family argues that if Charged Lemonade remains on the menu, it should be less accessible and not eligible for refills through the Unlimited Sip Club program.

The FDA's involvement in the matter has raised concerns over the safety of Panera's Charged Lemonade. The agency is currently monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action as necessary. Attorneys representing Katz's family hope that the FDA will review the drink's safety, particularly in light of its inclusion in the Unlimited Sip Club program. With 390 milligrams of caffeine per serving, the lawyers question whether the FDA will allow an establishment to offer unlimited refills of such a highly caffeinated beverage. They urge the agency to carefully consider the potential risks and implications of the drink.

In addition to Katz's case, others have reported adverse reactions to Panera's Charged Lemonade. Lisa McAllister, who has Type 2 diabetes, experienced heart palpitations after consuming the beverage. McAllister, like many, was unaware of the drink's elevated caffeine content, and she believes that a warning sign should have been posted to indicate this. The concerns and experiences of individuals like McAllister further highlight the need for clearer disclosures and safeguards regarding highly caffeinated beverages.

Overall, the lawsuit against Panera Bread and the subsequent attention from the FDA have brought to light the potential dangers of highly caffeinated drinks, particularly for individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Katz's family hopes that their case will prompt changes in regulations and improve consumer awareness, ultimately preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.