大象传媒

Panera Bread settles first death lawsuit over Charged Lemonade

Sarah KatzImage source, University of Pennsylvania
Image caption,

Sarah Katz had a heart condition known as long QT syndrome type 1

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The family of an Ivy League student who died after drinking a highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade that was sold by Panera Bread has resolved a case against the US bakery chain.

Sarah Katz, who had a heart condition, went into cardiac arrest hours after drinking the beverage from a Panera Bread in Philadelphia in September 2022.

The 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student鈥檚 parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the chain in October last year.

It was the first of four lawsuits, which referred to Charged Lemonade as a 鈥渄angerous energy drink鈥. Panera Bread stopped selling the beverage in May.

Ms Katz had avoided energy drinks under doctors' recommendations because she had been diagnosed as a child with a heart condition known as long QT syndrome type 1.

The lawsuit alleged that the Charged Lemonade was advertised as a 鈥減lant-based and clean鈥 beverage and that it was on sale at the outlet beside 鈥渘on-caffeinated and/or less caffeinated drinks鈥.

The beverage was advertised as containing as much caffeine as a dark roast coffee, according to the legal action.

But a 30-ounce (890ml) Charged Lemonade contains up to 390mg of caffeine, more than the combined caffeine levels of a Red Bull and聽Monster Energy Drink, said the lawsuit.

It also contains guarana extract, another stimulant, and the equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar in the large size, according to the court papers.

After learning of Ms Katz鈥檚 death, Panera Bread vowed to 鈥渢horoughly investigate this matter鈥 and said it was 鈥渧ery saddened to learn about the tragic passing of Sarah Katz鈥.

Elizabeth Crawford, a partner at the Philadelphia-based law firm Kline & Specter, who represents the plaintiffs in all four lawsuits, confirmed to the 大象传媒 that a settlement had been reached, but said she was not allowed to disclose details.

Panera Bread did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Sarah Katz case had been due to go to trial this month.