Origins of the Panera Charged Lemonade
The charged lemonade scandal traces its roots to 2022, when Panera Bread introduced its 'Charged Lemonade' as part of its Unlimited Sip Club membership. Advertised as "plant-based, clean caffeine" derived from guarana and green coffee extract, the beverage was marketed alongside non-caffeinated drinks at self-serve dispensers. Crucially, the extreme caffeine potency of the drink was not clearly communicated to customers at the time of its launch. This ambiguity became a central point of contention as the scandal unfolded.
The initial lack of warnings
Unlike traditional energy drinks with explicit caffeine content labels, the Charged Lemonade was presented as a flavored beverage, leaving consumers to make assumptions. A large, 30-ounce serving of the drink could contain up to 390 milligrams of caffeine, just shy of the daily 400mg limit recommended for healthy adults by the FDA. The drink’s placement alongside regular, non-caffeinated lemonades and teas created a dangerous risk for customers who were sensitive to caffeine or mistakenly consumed excessive amounts.
The Tragic Lawsuits and Their Aftermath
The scandal gained significant national attention after several lawsuits were filed against Panera Bread, alleging that the company’s lack of transparency had led to serious health consequences, including death.
The case of Sarah Katz
The first lawsuit was filed in October 2023 by the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student who died in September 2022. Katz had long QT syndrome, a heart condition, and avoided energy drinks. Her family alleged that she drank a large Charged Lemonade, believing it was a standard beverage, and subsequently suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. The lawsuit highlighted the drink's immense caffeine content—more than Monster Energy and Red Bull combined at the time—and its misleading placement in stores. Panera settled this wrongful death lawsuit in October 2024.
The death of Dennis Brown
In December 2023, a second wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the family of Dennis Brown, a 46-year-old Florida man with developmental disabilities. Brown, who had high blood pressure and avoided energy drinks, allegedly drank three Charged Lemonades before suffering a cardiac arrest. Similar to the Katz case, the lawsuit contended that Brown was unaware of the extreme caffeine levels and that Panera was negligent in its labeling.
Other serious health claims
Beyond the wrongful death cases, other individuals came forward with claims of serious injury. Lauren Skerritt, a 28-year-old athlete from Rhode Island with no prior health conditions, alleged that drinking the lemonade led to permanent cardiac issues, including atrial fibrillation. Additionally, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Pennsylvania teenager Luke Adams, who allegedly suffered cardiac arrest after consuming the beverage, noting his doctors speculated heavy caffeine intake was the trigger. Panera settled all remaining lawsuits related to the beverage in July 2025.
Panera's Corporate Response and Subsequent Changes
In the face of mounting legal pressure and public backlash, Panera implemented a series of actions aimed at mitigating the situation.
- Warning Labels: Initially, in October 2023, after the Katz lawsuit became public, Panera added enhanced warning labels. These warnings stated the drink contained caffeine, should be consumed in moderation, and were not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or caffeine-sensitive individuals.
- Restricted Access: The company moved the Charged Lemonade dispensers from the self-serve area to behind the counter, requiring customers to order from an employee. This change was intended to limit consumption and provide more control over serving sizes.
- Product Discontinuation: In May 2024, Panera announced it was discontinuing the Charged Lemonade nationwide. While citing a broader "menu transformation," the move was widely seen as a direct result of the scandal and associated lawsuits. The company shifted focus to new, lower-caffeine, and lower-sugar drink options.
Comparison of Charged Lemonade vs. Other Caffeinated Beverages
| Beverage | Serving Size | Caffeine Content (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panera Charged Lemonade (Large, un-iced) | 30 oz | 390 mg | Contained additional stimulants like guarana extract |
| Panera Dark Roast Coffee (Large) | 26 oz | 268 mg | Original marketing suggested caffeine content was comparable |
| Monster Energy Drink (Standard) | 16 oz | 160 mg | The large Charged Lemonade had more caffeine than a Monster and a Red Bull combined |
| Red Bull Energy Drink (Standard) | 8.4 oz | 80 mg | A fraction of the caffeine in an un-iced, large Charged Lemonade |
| Brewed Coffee | 8 oz | ~96 mg | A large Charged Lemonade was equivalent to over four cups of coffee |
Implications for the Food Industry and Consumers
The charged lemonade scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of product transparency and consumer safety. For the restaurant industry, the incident highlights the risks associated with marketing potent, unregulated products under the guise of familiar, benign items. It underscores the need for clear, upfront disclosure of high-potency ingredients, especially for beverages offered in self-serve, unlimited refill formats.
For consumers, the scandal serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It emphasizes the necessity of paying close attention to nutrition information, even for seemingly innocuous drinks. Health experts consistently advise caution with high caffeine intake, especially for sensitive populations or those with pre-existing heart conditions, and the Charged Lemonade saga provides a real-world example of the potential consequences of ignoring those warnings. While the lawsuits have been settled, the legacy of the Charged Lemonade scandal is likely to influence product labeling and consumer protection laws for years to come.
Final thought: The Panera scandal highlights a critical issue of labeling and consumer awareness in a market saturated with high-caffeine products. The event prompted industry-wide discussion about the responsibility of food service providers to clearly communicate the content and potential risks of their offerings.
Conclusion
The charged lemonade scandal was a watershed moment for Panera Bread and the wider fast-casual dining industry. What started as a new beverage offering quickly devolved into a public health crisis due to inadequate labeling and dangerously high caffeine content. The tragic lawsuits involving Sarah Katz, Dennis Brown, and others brought the issue of product safety and corporate responsibility to the forefront. While Panera has since pulled the drink and settled the lawsuits, the fallout has permanently altered its reputation and set a new precedent for how restaurants must inform consumers about the content of their products. The event serves as a crucial reminder for both companies and consumers about the potential risks associated with powerful energy-boosting products disguised as everyday beverages.
