Panera Bread announced they will stop selling Charged Sips drinks that were connected to at least two wrongful death lawsuits because of their high caffeine content.
Panera did not specify on Tuesday whether the drinks were being discontinued because of the lawsuits or health concerns, and it declined to comment on when they would be removed from stores. Panera mentioned they are introducing new drinks with low sugar and caffeine after listening to customer feedback.
The St. Louis-based company introduced Charged Sips in the spring of 2022. The fruit-flavored drinks contain between 155 milligrams and 302 milligrams of caffeine. The standard 8-ounce coffee contains 95 milligrams of caffeine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, while a 16-ounce can of Monster Energy contains 160 milligrams.
For Panera, the drinks helped satisfy customers’ increasing interest in natural drinks with practical benefits, like boosting energy or immunity. Charged Sips contained caffeine from guarana, a plant extract frequently used in energy drinks, and green coffee extract.
However, in October, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Panera by the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition who passed away in September 2022 after consuming a Charged Lemonade.
Then, in December, the family of a Florida man filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against Panera.
In that case, the family said David Brown, 46, experienced cardiac arrest and died on Oct. 9 after drinking three Charged Lemonades at his local Panera. Brown’s family mentioned he had high blood pressure and did not consume energy drinks, but believed Charged Sips were safe because they were not marketed as energy drinks.
The lawsuit mentioned Brown had ordered at least seven Charged Lemonades over a two-week period before he died.
Panera’s online menu now includes the note, “Consume in moderation. Not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women.” It’s unclear when that was added.
