In a move that has sparked widespread attention, Panera Bread, the popular American restaurant chain, has announced plans to discontinue its controversial 'Charged Lemonade' beverage. The decision comes in the wake of multiple lawsuits linking the highly caffeinated drink to severe health issues and even death.
The 'Charged Lemonade' has been at the center of three separate lawsuits, with plaintiffs alleging that the high caffeine content in the beverage led to the deaths of two customers and caused irreversible cardiac injuries in another. The beverage, which was introduced in April 2022, was marketed as a plant-based, clean drink with as much caffeine as Panera's dark roast coffee. However, the lawsuits claimed that a large 30-fluid-ounce Charged Lemonade contained 390 milligrams of caffeine, more than any size of Panera's dark roast coffee.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. In light of the lawsuits, Panera updated its nutrition information to reflect the caffeine content in the Charged Lemonade with ice, listing the large size of the blood orange Charged Lemonade as having 302 milligrams.
The discontinuation of the Charged Lemonade is part of a broader menu transformation. A Panera spokesperson stated, “We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire — ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low sugar and low-caffeine options.”
The new beverage lineup will include a blueberry lavender lemonade, pomegranate hibiscus tea, citrus punch, and a tropical green smoothie. These changes come as Panera is planning to go public again later this year.
Despite the controversy, Panera has maintained that the unfortunate passing of the customers was not caused by one of the company's products and stands by the safety of the items on its menu. However, the company did add more detailed disclosures in all of its restaurants and on its website warning customers to consume Charged Lemonade in moderation.
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