FDA Investigating Death of 21-Year-Old Woman After Consumption of Highly Caffeinated Lemonade from Panera Bread

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Wednesday that they are investigating the death of a 21-year-old woman with a heart condition who allegedly died after consuming a highly caffeinated lemonade from Panera Bread.

The lawsuit, filed by the woman’s family earlier this week, claims that Sarah Katz, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, believed the Charged Lemonade was a “traditional lemonade and/or electrolyte sports drink containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for her to drink.” The lawsuit also alleges that Panera failed to properly warn consumers about the drink’s ingredients.

According to the lawsuit, Katz drank the drink on Sept. 10, 2022, and then suffered cardiac arrest. The drink, a large cup of which contains more caffeine than a standard can of Red Bull and Monster energy drinks combined, is labeled as a “dangerous energy drink” in the lawsuit.

The FDA said they are gathering information about the incident and are working to determine if the drink was responsible for Katz’s death. They are also looking into whether Panera Bread should have provided more information about the drink’s ingredients.

The FDA has not yet reached a conclusion as to the cause of Katz’s death, and the investigation is ongoing. The FDA encourages consumers to be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming highly caffeinated beverages.