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Panera Bread’s Decision to Discontinue “Charged” Drinks
Panera Bread has made the strategic decision to discontinue the sale of its highly caffeinated “Charged” drinks. These beverages have been at the center of controversy, being associated with multiple lawsuits and linked to tragic outcomes, including at least two deaths.
Transition to Healthier Beverages
While the exact timeline for the removal of the “Charged” drinks remains unspecified, Panera Bread revealed that it is in the process of a “menu transformation.” This transformation will entail introducing an “enhanced beverage portfolio” that aims to provide a refreshed selection of drinks. Among the new offerings are lemonade and tea; however, Panera has confirmed that these replacements will not contain the elevated levels of caffeine found in the previous “charged” drinks.
The Controversy Surrounding the “Charged” Drinks
The fast-casual cafe-style chain made headlines in 2022 when it came to light that the “Charged” drinks had unexpectedly high caffeine content. The original versions of these beverages were self-serve with complimentary refills. Notably, a large, 30-ounce drink was reported to contain between 389 mg to 390 mg of caffeine, while the 20-ounce regular size had 260 mg. For perspective, a standard 8-ounce cup of coffee typically contains 80 to 100 mg of caffeine, and even a Red Bull energy drink has 80 mg.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, a daily limit of 400 mg of caffeine is generally deemed safe for healthy adults. Nevertheless, individuals with specific medical conditions, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers are advised to consume less caffeine.
Lawsuits and Tragic Incidents
In a heartbreaking incident, 21-year-old Sarah Katz, who had a heart condition, tragically passed away in September of 2022 after allegedly consuming one of Panera’s highly caffeinated lemonades at a Philadelphia restaurant. Katz’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera in October of the following year, claiming that their daughter was unaware of the dangerous caffeine levels in the drink.
Similarly, a 46-year-old man named Dennis Brown suffered cardiac arrest in Florida after drinking a “charged” lemonade at Panera and subsequently having two refills. His family initiated legal action against Panera in December.
A third lawsuit was filed in January by a woman who reported experiencing rapid heartbeat and palpitations after consuming two-and-a-half of these caffeinated lemonades in April 2023.
Panera’s Response and Changes
In response to these lawsuits and safety concerns, Panera asserted its confidence in the safety of its products. However, the company opted to enhance the warning labels on the drinks, adjust the placement of containers in stores, and notably reduce the labeled caffeine content. The updated menu now specifies that the “Charged Sips” drinks contain between 155 mg to 302 mg of caffeine, depending on the flavor and serving size.
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