Panera Locations Install New Warning on Charged Lemonade Dispenser After Lawsuit Over Customer’s Death.Photo:Antonia DeBianchi
Antonia DeBianchi
Paneraappears to be taking extra precautions.
On Oct. 23, news broke thatSarah Katz, a 21-year-old college student with a heart condition, died in Sept. 2022 after drinking the chain’scaffeinated lemonade. Her parents, Jill and Michael Katz, believe her death was related to her consumption of the drink. Since the Katzs filed a lawsuit suing the fast casual restaurant chain, some Panera locations within the last week have put up signs with increased warning in front of the charged lemonade dispensers.
A regular size of the Charged Lemonade drink at Panera contains 260 milligrams of caffeine, while a large has 390 milligrams, according toPanera’s website. The drink is advertised as containing “as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee.”
Panera Locations Install New Warning on Charged Lemonade Dispenser After Lawsuit Over Customer’s Death.Antonia DeBianchi
When customers try ordering a beverage on the Panera website, a similar warning message now appears at the top: “Charged Sips contain 245-390mg of CAFFEINE - Consume in Moderation. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women.”
Panera did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment following the warning signage.
The suit against the brand recites that Sarah was diagnosed with Long QT Type 1 Syndrome when she was five years old. The condition can cause irregular heart rhythms. The University of Pennsylvania student allegedly avoided stimulants like energy drinks and highly-caffeinated beverages throughout her life as a result of her diagnosis.
Her parents’ lawsuit alleges that on Sept. 10, 2022, Sarah bought and drank Panera’s Charged Lemonade “reasonably confident it was a traditional lemonade and/or electrolyte sports drink containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for her to drink."
Sarah Katz.The Katz Family
The Katz Family
“We were very saddened to learn this morning about the tragic passing of Sarah Katz, and our hearts go out to her family,” a spokesperson for Panera told PEOPLE in a statement at the time. “At Panera, we strongly believe in transparency around our ingredients. We will work quickly to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
Panera Charged Lemonade.Panera
One of the attorneys on the complaint, Elizabeth Crawford of Kline and Specter, PC, told PEOPLE it’s “very important to the family to protect other people and make the public aware to save lives.”
On Oct. 26, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they are “gathering information” on Panera’s “Charged Lemonade” following her death.
“The FDA is saddened to hear of the passing of a consumer and as always, takes seriously reports of illnesses or injury from regulated products,” an FDA spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time. “At this point, we are gathering information about this event.”
source: people.com
