Panera Bread, one of the biggest fast-casual restaurant chains in the US, is facing a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit after a 46-year-old Florida man died from cardiac arrest allegedly caused by the chain's caffeinated lemonade drink. The family of the deceased, David Brown, filed the lawsuit in Superior Court in Delaware, where Panera Bread Company is registered. The lawsuit claims that Brown, who had high blood pressure and did not consume energy drinks, believed that Panera's Charged Lemonade was safe since it was not advertised as an energy drink and was offered alongside non-caffeinated or less-caffeinated drinks.

According to the lawsuit, on October 9, Brown had the drink three times during a visit to the Panera Bread location in Fleming Island, Florida. Shortly after leaving the restaurant and walking home, he suffered cardiac arrest and died. The lawsuit states that Brown had ordered the Panera Charged Lemonade at least seven times over a two-week period in September and October. The family argues that Panera should have known that the drink, as formulated, could cause catastrophic injuries or death to individuals sensitive to caffeine, including children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.

Panera Bread has not yet responded to inquiries seeking comment on the lawsuit. However, the company released a statement expressing sympathy for Brown's family and asserting that his death was not caused by one of their products. Panera maintains that the lawsuit, which was filed by the same law firm as a previous claim, is equally without merit. Panera stands by the safety of its products.

This lawsuit is the second wrongful death claim filed against Panera Bread related to its Charged Lemonade. In October, the family of 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition, filed a lawsuit alleging that she died in September 2022 after consuming the drink. Panera's lemonade contains 390 milligrams of caffeine in a large size, which is close to the FDA's recommended daily maximum intake of 400 milligrams. Notably, Panera's Charged Lemonade contains more caffeine than both Red Bull and Monster energy drinks combined.

As a result of the first lawsuit, Panera has added a warning about the drink's caffeine content on its mobile app. The warning advises consumers to consume the drink in moderation and states that it is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or nursing women. However, it is unclear whether Brown was aware of the drink's caffeine content.

Panera Bread, a privately-held company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, operates in 48 US states and Canada. The company's response to the allegations and the outcome of the lawsuit will undoubtedly have significant implications for its reputation and future sales.