Panera, which introduced a line of “charged” lemonade drinks in 2022, is reportedly discontinuing those products. Two business publications, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, quote a company spokesperson confirming the move.
In late 2023, the restaurant chain was hit with two wrongful death lawsuits after consumers drank the caffeinated beverages.
In 2024, 28-year-old Lauren Skerrit sued the company after the “Charged Lemonade” allegedly resulted in permanent heart damage. After drinking two and a half of the caffeinated drinks, Skerrit said she experienced dizziness and heart palpitations and had to be taken to the emergency room.
Skerrit has since been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat, and one that she will have for the rest of her life. She had no pre-existing health conditions and was a regular obstacle course racer before her diagnosis.
According to her suit: “Lauren continues to experience supraventricular tachycardia with associated shortness of breath, palpitations, brain fog, difficulty thinking and concentrating, body shakes, and weakness.”
According to the Journal, the Panera spokesperson didn’t say why the drinks are being discontinued and declined to comment on the litigation
The spokesperson did say Panera will soon launch a new line of beverages that will include blueberry lavender lemonade and pomegranate hibiscus tea as part of a menu overhaul announced earlier this year.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-05-08 11:44:31
