Panera Bread has settled each remaining lawsuit tied to its now-discontinued Charged Lemonade beverage, following intense scrutiny after a number of individuals had been significantly harmed or died after consuming the drink.
Legal professional Elizabeth Crawford, who represented all 4 plaintiffs, confirmed that “the issues have all been resolved” however declined to share additional particulars. Panera echoed the affirmation, selecting to not remark.
The lawsuits started in 2023 when Sarah Katz’s dad and mom sued Panera after the 21-year-old scholar, who had a identified coronary heart situation, died from cardiac arrest after ingesting the high-caffeine lemonade. That case was dismissed with prejudice, a authorized time period which means it could’t be refiled.
Later, the household of Dennis Brown claimed he died after consuming three Charged Lemonades in a single go to. Brown had hypertension and a uncommon dysfunction, and usually prevented power drinks. Two others, Lauren Skerritt, 28, and teenage Luke Adams, survived however reportedly suffered long-term coronary heart harm. All fits had been additionally dismissed with prejudice this week.
At its peak, a big cup of Charged Lemonade contained 390 mg of caffeine plus guarana extract, rivaling robust espresso. Plaintiffs accused Panera of downplaying the drink’s dangers.
Panera has denied wrongdoing however quietly took steps to section out the drink. By Could 2024, it was eliminated utterly.
“We listened to greater than 30,000 visitors,” Panera stated, noting a shift to low-caffeine, low-sugar drinks.
Although the lawsuits are over, questions stay concerning the chain’s transparency and the hazards of high-stimulant drinks marketed as lemonade.
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