February 8, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Second Fatality Linked to Panera’s Charged Lemonade Sparks Legal Action

Panera Faces Lawsuit Over Caffeinated Beverage Following Tragic Death

By Dolores Quintana

Panera Bread is under legal scrutiny again as a second death is linked to its highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday as reported by NBC News. Dennis Brown from Fleming Island, Florida, experienced a fatal cardiac arrest on October 9 after consuming three Charged Lemonades from a local Panera. The lawsuit follows a separate case involving the death of Sarah Katz in September 2022, who also drank the same beverage. Both lawsuits allege that Panera failed to adequately warn consumers about the drink’s ingredients, including the stimulant guarana extract. Brown normally did not drink energy drinks because of his high blood pressure. 

Panera’s Charged Lemonade, promoted as “Plant-based and Clean with as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee,” contains 390 milligrams of caffeine in a large, 30-fluid-ounce cup—more than any size of Panera’s dark roast coffee. The legal complaints highlight that this surpasses the caffeine content of standard cans of Red Bull and Monster energy drinks combined, along with an equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar. While the FDA suggests healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, the lawsuits emphasize the drink’s potential risks.

The recent wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Dennis Brown’s family raises concerns about whether Brown was aware of the drink’s caffeine and stimulant content. The beverage, available in self-serve dispensers, was reportedly offered alongside non-caffeinated and less caffeinated drinks without clear warnings. Brown’s cause of death was stated as cardiac arrest due to hypertensive disease. 

Panera responded to the recent lawsuit by expressing sympathy for Dennis Brown’s family and defended the safety of their products according to NBC News. They stated that their investigation led them to believe that Brown’s passing was not caused by their product. Panera views the lawsuit, filed by the same law firm as the previous claim, as equally without merit. Despite the legal challenges, the company maintains confidence in the safety of its offerings.

After the initial lawsuit, Panera implemented more detailed disclosures across its establishments and website, cautioning customers to consume Charged Lemonade in moderation, especially for children, individuals sensitive to caffeine, or pregnant or nursing women. However, when you go to the website with a link for a Charged Lemonade product, you are offered a chance to join the company’s “Sip Club” which offers unlimited beverages for a special price, as a monthly subscription.

Related Posts

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...

Quiet Luxury: What’s Inside the New Regent Boutique and Sweet July

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

The Regent Santa Monica Beach, known for its perfect Santa Monica getaways, or local dining at its Mediterranean-based restaurant Orla...

West Hollywood Deputies Arrest San Bernardino Homicide Suspect on Sierra Bonita

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Man Wanted for Deadly Baseball Bat Attack Captured During Routine Patrol Deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station apprehended a...

Serial Predator David Pearce Convicted of Murders, Rape in Shocking Fentanyl Overdose Case in West LA

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

“Dead Girls Don’t Talk,” Fake Producer Abandoned Women’s Bodies Like Garbage A jury convicted David Brian Pearce of two counts...

Best Spots to Celebrate Valentines, Galentines, or Have a Super Bowl Party on the Westside

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Cocktails, Game Day Grub, Valentine’s Pasta, and a Lonely Heart’s Tea Service You will find many excellent ways to celebrate...

FDA Issues High-Risk Recall for Pre-Packaged Broccoli Florets Sold at Walmart

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Recall Is Now Classified as Class I Due to Seriousness Of Contamination The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified...

Matū Kai Brings Its Signature Wagyu and Famous Cheesesteak to Brentwood

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Team Behind Beverly Hills’ Acclaimed Matū Is Opening a Second Location One of Beverly Hills’s newest and most popular restaurants,...

West Hollywood’s Drag Story Hour Returns for 2025 Season This Week

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Family-Friendly Storytelling Series Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion The City of West Hollywood will launch its 2025 season of Drag Story...

Free Narcan to Combat Opioid Overdoses Available at the West Hollywood Library

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips Are Available With No Payment or ID  In response to a rise in fentanyl and...

Influencer Florence Mirsky Responds After Her Racist Rant Is Caught in Video Footage

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Viral Footage Shows Mirsky Using Slurs and Berating Valet Workers in Beverly Hills Influencer and cannabis entrepreneur Florence Mirsky, who...

 State Farm Seeks Emergency Rate Hike, Citing Wildfire Losses—Consumer Advocates Push Back

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Insurer Requests up to a 38% Rate Increase, but Critics Call It an Unjustified Cash Grab In a press release...

(Video) Los Angeles Marathon Returns For 40th Anniversary

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Register at mccourtfoundation.org Register at https://t.co/JUuzwhVeun pic.twitter.com/3m3wiyoBm4 — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) February 4, 2025

CCPD Seek Public’s Help in Finding Missing Elderly Man with Dementia Last Seen in Culver City

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Resident Last Seen on Washington Boulevard, Public Urged to Report Any Sightings Culver City’s Police Department is asking for the...

Los Angeles County Ramps Up Storm Protections in Fire Burn Areas As Two Storms Approach

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Officials Install Flood Barriers and Urge Residents To Prepare As a storm system approaches California this week, Los Angeles County...