Panera Bread has announced the removal of its caffeinated 'Charged Sips' drinks from its Canadian locations, responding to at least two wrongful death lawsuits linked to the consumption of these beverages. A spokesperson for the restaurant chain confirmed to Global News on Wednesday that they plan to cease sales of the drinks in Canada. However, the exact timeline and reasons behind this decision were not disclosed.
As of Wednesday, the beverages, available in strawberry and mango lemonade flavors, remain purchasable on the company's website. Nonetheless, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday that these drinks are also being withdrawn from the United States market.
We are excited to continue the success of our recent menu transformation, which began with our core options of sandwiches and salads," a Panera spokesperson told Global News via email on Wednesday. "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.
Panera Bread is currently grappling with at least two lawsuits arising from the consumption of Charged Sips drinks. One such case was brought by the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition who allegedly died in 2022 after consuming a large cup of Charged Lemonade. The lawsuit, filed in October 2023, contends that Panera Bread failed to adequately warn customers about the high caffeine levels in the beverage.
We were very saddened to learn this morning about the tragic passing of Sarah Katz, and our hearts go out to her family," Panera Bread stated upon being informed of the lawsuit. "At Panera, we strongly believe in transparency around our ingredients. We will work quickly to thoroughly investigate this matter.
In another case, the family of David Brown, a 46-year-old Florida man, filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against Panera in December 2023. According to the Associated Press, Brown suffered cardiac arrest and died on October 9, 2023, after reportedly consuming three Charged Lemonades at his local Panera. Brown's family stated that he had high blood pressure and did not consume energy drinks but believed Charged Sips were safe as they were not marketed as such.
According to the Associated Press, Panera’s corporate offices remained unresponsive to inquiries seeking comment at the time of their report. It's essential to note that the allegations in the lawsuits have yet to be proven in court. ABC News reported that Panera has firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Charged Sips made their debut in the spring of 2022, offering fruit-flavored beverages infused with approximately 390 milligrams of caffeine, as outlined in a Panera Bread caffeine guide last updated in January of the current year. This potency places a large cup of Charged Sips beyond the combined caffeine content of a Red Bull (77.4 mg) and a can of Monster Energy (160 mg).
In October 2023, Panera amended its Charged Sips description, appending a warning advising against consumption for children, individuals sensitive to caffeine, pregnant, or nursing women. This cautionary text supplements the existing description, which compares the caffeine content to that of their Dark Roast coffee.
Panera Bread operates nine restaurants in Canada, all situated in Ontario. According to Panera’s website, Canadian locations offer two flavors of Charg
In conclusion, Panera Bread's decision to remove its 'Charged Sips' drinks from Canadian locations amid ongoing legal challenges underscores the gravity of the situation. With lawsuits alleging wrongful death and negligence, coupled with concerns over the high caffeine content in these beverages, Panera faces significant scrutiny. Despite assertions of innocence and the addition of warnings, the controversy surrounding Charged Sips casts a shadow over the brand's reputation. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome will not only impact Panera's future offerings but also serve as a cautionary tale for other companies navigating the delicate balance between innovation and consumer safety in the food and beverage industry.
