Restaurant chain Panera said Tuesday it plans to stop selling its Charged Sips caffeinated drinks that are at the center of multiple lawsuits.
The company will phase out caffeine-laden lemonade drinks nationwide, a spokesperson confirmed to CBS MoneyWatch. As of Tuesday, they were still available for purchase on Panera's website.
The move comes as Panera revamps its menu to offer new “low-caffeine” beverage options. allegations that caffeinated lemonade drinks caused two deaths. Another plaintiff alleges Panera's loaded lemonade it left her with long-term heart problems. Panera did not say why it is eliminating Charged Sips. The company did not comment on pending litigation.
“We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and we're focusing next on the wide range of beverages we know our guests want, from exciting and on-trend flavors to low-sugar and caffeine,” Panera said of its recent menu changes. The company's new beverage offerings include a “Blueberry Lavender Lemonade” among other options.
Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old college student with a heart condition, died in September 2022 after drinking a loaded lemonade drink. His family filed a lawsuit against Panera claiming that the lemonade drink, which contains higher levels of caffeine than Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink combined, did not come without warning.
A second lawsuit alleges that Dennis Brown of Fleming Island, Fla., died of cardiac arrest after drinking three of the drinks and unknowingly. consuming high levels of caffeineaccording to the lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court.
On their website, Charged Sips drinks are described as containing between 155 and 302 milligrams of caffeine. They come with a warning that says it's not recommended for “children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women.”
According to The Mayo Clinic, it's safe for most healthy adults to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is roughly the equivalent of about four cups of coffee or 10 cans of soda.
