Panera is pulling their Charged Sips line of beverages, including the Charged Lemonade, after two different individuals reportedly passed away after drinking the caffeinated drinks. Both of the families of the individuals have filed wrongful death lawsuits against the St. Louis-based company, and while Panera has yet to confirm or deny whether these lawsuits are the reason the Charged Sips are leaving the menu, customers can’t help but assume. Keep reading for all the details.
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Panera Charged Sips
Almost exactly two years ago in the Spring of 2022, Panera released its new beverage lie: Charged Sips. These fruit-flavored drinks contain caffeine, but weren't advertised as energy drinks. The beverages contain caffeine derived from guarana, a plant extract often used in energy drinks.
So how much caffeine do these drinks have in them? Well, let's take a look at all the drinks that have less caffeine than the smallest size of the Blood Orange Charged Splash, for example. 1 can of Redbull, 2 cans of Monster Energy, 1 small cup of iced coffee, 5 Coca-Colas, or a double espressos. This single beverage from Panera has 178mg of caffeine, and that's just in the smallest size! The largest size has 302mg.
Panera Slapped With 2 Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In September of 2022, Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old student at the University of Pennsylvania passed away after drinking a Charged Lemonade. Sarah had a heart condition, but because the Charged Sips weren't advertised as energy drinks, she didn't think twice about trying the new fruity drinks. Her good friend, Victoria Rose Conroy, told NBC, that Sarah "was very, very vigilant about what she needed to do to keep herself safe. I guarantee if Sarah had known how much caffeine this was, she never would have touched it with a 10-foot pole."
Only after her death, in October 2022, did Panera put a warning on their website, reading, "Naturally flavored, plant-based. Contains caffeine. Use in moderation. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women."
In October 2023, Sarah's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera, and just two months later, another wrongful death lawsuit came their way, after another person died in connection with drinking the Charged Sips. 46-year-old David Brown had high blood pressure and specifically avoided energy drinks because of it. However, he believed the Panera Charged Lemonade was safe since it wasn't advertised as an energy drink. On October 9, 2023, David had three Charged Lemonades, and on his walk home after enjoying the beverages, he suffered cardiac arrest and passed away.
Panera Discontinues Charged Sips
Panera is officially discontinuing its Charged Sips line of drinks, according to a Panera spokesperson. However they have not said whether this is a reaction to the deaths and wrongful death lawsuits that are connected to the fruity beverages. In fact, Panera has in the past denied being connected to the deaths of the two individuals. After David Brown's passing, they released a statement saying they felt his "unfortunate passing was not caused by one one of the company's products," and said that it stands by the safety of the items on its menu."
Two current employees who wish to remain anonymous told NBC News that the Charged Lemonades would be replaced within two weeks, as the chain prepares the release a revamped menu that includes "exciting, on-trend flavors" and "low sugar and low-caffeine options."
