FDA Investigates Death of University Student Allegedly Caused by Caffeinated Drink at Panera Bread
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the death of a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition, Sarah Katz, who allegedly died after consuming a caffeinated drink at Panera Bread. The lawsuit filed by Katz’s parents claims that the 21-year-old believed the Charged Lemonade was a “traditional lemonade and/or electrolyte sports drink containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for her to drink.” On September 10, 2022, after consuming the drink, Katz suffered cardiac arrest.
In response, the FDA released a statement expressing their condolences and emphasizing their commitment to investigating reports of illnesses or injuries related to regulated products. The agency stated that they are currently gathering information on the incident and monitoring the marketplace of FDA-regulated products.
Katz had been diagnosed with Long QT Type 1 Syndrome as a child, a heart condition that requires individuals to avoid energy drinks and highly caffeinated beverages. The lawsuit alleges that Panera Bread failed to inform consumers about the caffeine levels in its “Charged Lemonade” and compares the beverage to their dark roast coffee in terms of caffeine content.
The lawsuit claims that a 30-ounce serving of Charged Lemonade contains as much as 390 milligrams of caffeine, surpassing the combined caffeine levels of popular energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink. Panera markets the product as a juice beverage and serves it alongside non-caffeinated juice drinks, according to the lawsuit.
Panera Bread responded to the lawsuit, expressing their sadness over Katz’s passing and stating their commitment to transparency regarding ingredients. They acknowledged the need to thoroughly investigate the matter.
As the FDA continues its investigation, the incident raises concerns about the labeling and transparency of caffeine levels in commercially available beverages. The results of the investigation could have implications for the regulation of caffeinated drinks and the responsibility of companies to inform consumers about potential health risks.