Panera Bread is once again entangled in legal troubles over its highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade drinks as a third lawsuit alleges severe health consequences. This latest legal action, filed in Delaware on behalf of 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt of Rhode Island, claims permanent heart issues resulting from consuming the Charged Lemonade.
This marks the third lawsuit since October, with previous cases attributing the lemonade drinks to the deaths of a 21-year-old college student and a 46-year-old Florida man. Panera, while denying responsibility in both instances, has added warning labels to its menu. Despite these precautions, consumers argue they were unaware of the drink’s contents, promoted as “clean,” “plant-based,” and “naturally flavored.”
Skerritt, an otherwise healthy individual and an athlete who regularly worked out, filed the recent lawsuit after experiencing dizziness and heart palpitations upon consuming a little over two Charged Lemonades. The incident occurred in April 2023 at a Rhode Island Panera location. Following the symptoms, Skerritt sought emergency medical attention the next day and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat associated with serious complications.
The lawsuit asserts that Skerritt’s health issues persist, requiring medication to manage rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, brain fog, body shakes, weakness, and a tremor in one hand. These health challenges have significantly impacted her ability to work, exercise, and socialize, even affecting her plans to start a family with her husband.
Panera has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the lawsuits as meritless. The company maintains its commitment to the safety of its products. The previous lawsuits involved the deaths of a college student, Sarah Katz, and a Florida man, Dennis Brown, both attributed to the highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade drinks. Katz’s family alleged improper labeling and advertising, while Brown’s family claimed he was unaware of the drink’s caffeine content.
The legal actions have prompted Panera to update the labels on the Charged Lemonade drinks, emphasizing their caffeine content. Despite these changes, consumers argue that the initial marketing conveyed a misleading image of the drink as a safe and moderate caffeine option. The nutritional information now discloses higher caffeine levels than initially suggested, with the “regular” size having 260 milligrams and the “large” containing 390 milligrams.
The controversy has fueled discussions about the responsibility of companies in transparently communicating the contents and potential health risks of their products. Panera, facing public scrutiny and boycott calls, stands by its safety measures while acknowledging the tragic incidents. The outcome of these lawsuits may impact the food industry’s approach to disclosure and marketing practices, urging companies to prioritize consumer safety in their product offerings.
As the legal battles continue, the broader conversation around consumer rights, corporate accountability, and the impact of caffeine consumption on health remains at the forefront. The Charged Lemonade lawsuits underscore the need for businesses to proactively address concerns and prioritize transparency to build and maintain consumer trust.