21-Year-Old US College Student Dies After Consuming High-Caffeine Lemonade.
Philadelphia, October 24, 2023 – A 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student, Sarah Katz, passed away after drinking Charged Lemonade from the popular fast-food chain Panera Bread.
The tragedy has led her family to file a lawsuit against the restaurant, alleging that the beverage, unbeknownst to Sarah, contained an excessive amount of caffeine, leading to her fatal cardiac arrest.
Sarah Katz, who had a pre-existing heart condition known as long QT syndrome type 1, was meticulous about her health, avoiding energy drinks as advised by her doctor. Her roommate, Victoria Rose Conroy, emphasized Sarah’s vigilance, stating that she would never have consumed the lemonade had she known its high caffeine content.
On September 10, 2022, Sarah ordered a large Charged Lemonade, assuming it was a regular lemonade with a safe caffeine level. However, the beverage contained 390 milligrams of caffeine, over three times the amount found in a Red Bull can. Tragically, later that day, Sarah suffered a cardiac arrest while dining with friends at a restaurant in her apartment building.
The lawsuit revealed that the Charged Lemonade also contained guarana extract, a stimulant, and the equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar.
The family’s legal complaint underscores concerns about the transparency of the beverage’s ingredients and Panera Bread’s responsibility to provide accurate information to consumers.
Panera Bread expressed deep sadness over Sarah Katz’s death and committed to a thorough investigation.
Leave a Reply