St. Louis, Mo. — Panera Bread has settled all legal disputes concerning its now-discontinued Charged Lemonade, a beverage linked to several serious health incidents, including fatalities. The company faced multiple lawsuits related to the drink’s high caffeine content but has firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Lawyer Elizabeth Crawford, representing the plaintiffs, confirmed on July 10 that all lawsuits have been resolved. While she declined to provide further details, Panera acknowledged the settlements, which had previously received attention from various media outlets.
The controversy began in October 2023 after the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student, filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Katz experienced cardiac arrest following the consumption of Charged Lemonade, a fact highlighted in their legal complaint. The court dismissed this lawsuit with prejudice shortly afterwards, preventing any re-filing.
Further lawsuits ensued, including one from the family of Dennis Brown, a 46-year-old who passed away after consuming three Charged Lemonades in a single visit. Brown’s family stated that he had a history of health complications, which made his choice to consume the drink concerning given its caffeine levels.
Other claims involved individuals who survived consumption but endured significant health repercussions. Lauren Skerritt, a 28-year-old occupational therapist without prior medical issues, reportedly suffered permanent heart damage after drinking multiple Charged Lemonades in April 2023. Another case involved teenage Pennsylvania resident Luke Adams, who required resuscitation shortly after consuming the beverage.
All three of these suits were dismissed with prejudice last week, reinforcing that they cannot be brought back to court.
Court filings described Charged Lemonade as a hazardous drink, asserting that Panera failed to warn customers adequately. A large serving of Charged Lemonade contained a staggering 390 milligrams of caffeine, nearing the Food and Drug Administration’s recommended daily limit for healthy adults. This amount is further amplified by the presence of guarana extract, another caffeine source.
Although the company has defended itself against the allegations, it implemented several measures following the rise of legal complaints. Panera removed the drink from self-serve stations, introduced warning signs, and eliminated Charged Lemonade entirely from its menu as part of a broader initiative to revamp its offerings toward lower-sugar and lower-caffeine options.
The company noted that it made changes in response to feedback from over 30,000 customer responses, emphasizing a shift to drinks that prioritize health and wellness. Prior to its removal, Panera’s website stated that its standard Charged Lemonade contained 260 milligrams of caffeine, with the larger size matching the caffeine content of its Dark Roast coffee.
As part of the adjustments, some Panera locations now have signage instructing patrons to request beverages from staff rather than serving themselves. However, it remains uncertain whether the company has completely phased out self-serve stations across all dine-in establishments.