Panera to phase out Charged Lemonades after families file lawsuits due to deaths

[@ericeandco]

That’s one energy drink. There’s tons of companies selling tons of of them. Panera was just the sacrificial lamb. Either you address the problem or you don’t.

[@aftersexhighfives]

Ok, but with an energy drink you're aware you're drinking caffeine. Lemonade being called "charged" is unclear what that means exactly. I don't expect my lemonade to have caffeine let alone 300mg of it. When a cup of coffee has 95mg of caffeine why would a lemonade need to be 3x stronger?

[@rosanajackson4668]

REALLY

[@essentiallyangelyn4420]

I am saddened that such a young life was lost but blaming the company and trying to get money for it isn't right. If all they wanted was an awareness, they got that. Panera is taking it off the shelf. She had a genetic condition. She knew of the dangers and I think that saying it had the equivalent of a 30 oz cup of dark roast is a warning she should have heeded.

[@pepperpower1652]

Everything// is/// N0// G,0,0,D

[@BA-pz3lo]

i never heard of this drink. was it labeled properly? if i order a lemonade i wouldn’t think it has caffeine in it. maybe she didn’t know.

[@xosweetiexpieox5]

I ordered a charged drink from Panera once. CHARGED lemonade made it pretty obvious it was caffeinated. Common sense is lacking it seems.

[@mrchaos239]

So she knew regardless of amount she was supposed to stay away from caffeine, but somehow the restaurant is at fault? This is reeeeally bad reporting.

[@leslie-tc2po]

Bull Sh!t! The Restaurant is supposed to make sure there drinks don't take a life. You need to STFU. The Restaurant can afford it. Republican?! I'm gonna go with...Yeah MAGA MUCH?

[@KingTemplarDragon]

The charged lemonade (at first) did not show how much caffeine was in it.

[@lise1255]

​@@KingTemplarDragon That sounds more like a typical American lack of food regulation. In Europe, all energy drinks (and all food and drinks for that matter) are required to be labelled with explicit content and varnings. Energy drinks can not be sold legally to teens under 16yo.

[@BA-pz3lo]

i never heard of this drink. was it labeled properly? if i order a lemonade i wouldn’t think it has caffeine in it

[@barcelonachair6487]

That wasn't her doctor, the story said that. We don't know what Sarah knew about every drink, but it said she she didn't drink coffee. Also, it didn't say if the specific location she went to advertised what the caffeine content was in her drink. Just the Panera brand in general.

[@ezequielmochkovsky]

As sad as this may be, Sarah brought this upon herself. Consuming a drink with such a high amount of caffeine and with a known heart condition that makes her extra sensitive to caffeine is negligent.

[@leslie-tc2po]

I lost my 18 yr old Son in 2008. It was very unexpected. This is the worst pain they will evet feel. The thing is the pain doesn't go away, you just get used to it. My heart goes out to this family.

[@dolandlydia]

I am very sorry for your loss. Such a young age

[@Somberdemure]

Bot comment

[@lise1255]

It sounds VERY unfair to Panera, since their energy drink do NOT contain more caffeine than other energy drinks. It IS however the US food and health regulations that has failed to require clear content labeling and varnings on the product. It's should NOT be legal to sell tapped energy drinks where the customer don't have a chance to know what they are drinking. It's not Panera, but the laws that are at fault.

[@DimplesGenX]

But they do contain more because the drink size is larger!

[@everyonelovesmajima]

It’s expecting a whole lot to just not drink things that you don’t know what’s in them.

[@lise1255]

@DimplesGenX yes, that is my point. It's not the product itself, but the way it is sold in large 30oz cups tapped from a crane. ( but still, the product doesn't contain MORE caffeine than other energy drinks, you just drink more because of the way it's sold.) It should be illegal to sell energy drinks like that. If people wants to consume 2 red bull, let them do it consciously, but the way it's sold in the restaurant is misleading. Since there's no labelled can with a clear list of content, the least the waiter could have done was to make the costumers aware of the high caffeine content. This time it was a heart condition, but it could also have been a pregnant woman or caffeine sensitive person.

[@lise1255]

@everyonelovesmajima 😂 Today's most American comment, but nevertheless true. You automatically assume no one is poisoning you in restaurants. When I say "American" comment, I refer to American consumerism with extreme portions of everything. ( I am from Denmark, where anyone with a 30oz (almost 900ml) cola at a dinner table would be stared upon 😱) I guess you call it medium size 😆.

[@rosanajackson4668]

You must work at Panera Bread; they have a bad reputation. You need to read their reviews! Their restaurant is not Always clean, especially their bathrooms!

[@cathyleeziemba3508]

I am so sorry for this terribly sad loss of your daughter- my heart hurts for you. May you find some comfort in happy memories you made with her.

[@ExcuseZero]

"Duh, what makes them "charged"?" And the kid would be alive today. Simple. I have a heart issue and don't drink anything more caffeinated than a coke, because I'm not TRYING to die.

[@Anthony-dj4nd]

If you need to consume something for energy than you need to go see a doctor for medical condition

[@yourhuckleberry6757]

Commie

[@GodDamnPreacher]

Ok karen

[@Lex1uth3r]

I did but even on the speed the doc prescribed me I still need one of these sometimes. Would be nice to have been born without debilitating health conditions that make every day a challenge.

[@Jeremy9697]

Lmoa you speak like someone who doesn't do physical work, or ever stayed up late having fun....

[@humanlifeforce]

How sad! But honestly NO ONE should drink those energy drinks! I have seen young people become addicted, agitated and have a personality change. Evil!

[@chairmanofthebored8684]

I agree. In 2021, I was addicted to Blueberry RedBull. My life revolved around it. It started because a friend was getting the stuff for free and she didn't want it. For 5 months I drank a 4-pack a day until it was gone. I have a serious heart murmur and tachycardia. So bad.

[@humanlifeforce]

@@chairmanofthebored8684 oh wow. Please take care! 😇

[@_hadoken]

I dunno, they were pretty tasty but didn't feel addictive. Once I moved too far from a Panera, it was no longer worth going for.

[@bondjovi4595]

Exactly, file the lawsuit with the energy drink company. Not Panera.

[@Joesky88]

Long QT syndrome and chugging energy drinks, not a smart combo.

[@erismana2105]

Darwinism

[@queenelizabeth8191]

Of course they are trying to sue them. What a joke. If you have a condition, thats up to you to get nutrition information. They took it off the menu, what more do they want? Oh yeah thats right, money. Cash in on your kids death

[@seraphoftheend5768]

Reminds me of that case where the family sued the restaurant just because their kid was drowned in a nearby lake by his 'friends'. By no fault of the restaurant. I hope they don't get their payout.

[@DontBDeceivedUsowUreap]

Lemonade doesn't normally contain caffeine. The restaurant failed its responsibility to make it clear.

[@lise1255]

4:23 So it seems it contains the exact SAME amount caffeine as Red Bull, Monster or any other energy drink ( 32mg / 3,38oz) To conclude that 30oz contains more than 28oz of similar products seems pretty obvious. If it contains the same amount than all other energy drinks, why target Panera alone. And it isn't even the highest caffeine content in energy drinks !!! (Monster 3m)

[@nivzb18]

They said a red bull and monster combined

[@lise1255]

At 4:23. They say 30oz panera exceeds the caffeine content of a 12 oz Red Bull and a 16 oz Monster energy combined. Isn't 12+16 = 28 and isn't 30 oz Panera more than 28 oz combined Red Bull / Monster ? Look at the screen. The very wrong issue in this case is not the product, but the fact it was served tapped, which makes it impossible for the customer to check the content. That shouldn't be legal. The product itself is similar to all other energy drinks

[@nivzb18]

@@lise1255yeah but a red bull and a monster is a serving and the panera serving is double those servings. Its not the same. Nobody would drink a red bull and a monster together or 2 servings of either

[@lise1255]

@nivzb18 Exactly, it's not the content of caffeine, but the size of the serving. As I said, the hole problem is the panera energy drink was served from a tap ( in a 30oz cup). It should NOT be legal to serve energy drinks like that and without a can with explicit content and warnings. To most people drinking 2 red bulls after each other is no big deal, but it is to people with heart conditions and pregnant women. But there is nothing specific about the energy drink if only it was canned and properly labeled. That was my point.

[@SunnySoul22]

I’m so sorry to hear of this horrific loss of your daughter. Bringing your experience to light, educating others and making a change is commendable. ❤

[@Anna-l5e2c]

These two parents absolutely did save other peoples lives. They absolutely did. God bless them. Panera bread tries to get people to sign up for a reoccurring monthly fee that gives you unlimited drinks and it's disturbing because they say you get two free months of unlimited drinks and then it's about $15 a month. I just think that much caffeine and the world that we live in California people are gonna abuse free drinks. It's just so much more serious. God bless these parents.

[@xosweetiexpieox5]

What happened to personal responsibility?? SHE knew she had a heart condition, SHE knew she was ordering a CHARGED drink. Charged = energy. No one made her do it. I’m sorry she lost her life, and her parents lost their daughter, but this is not paneras fault. It’s your responsibility to know what you consume. No one else. I ordered a charged drink and immediately knew that meant caffeine. Common sense. And how come Panera has to take the fall, while all the other energy drinks get to remain on shelves?

[@beverlysmith6539]

Thats the answer!!! This is ridiculous! People have to take responsibility for themselves! Make better choices!

[@ohheyitsnicol]

They believe this decision will save lives AFTER someone has lost their life despite the caffeine count being so high at a restaurant that is purposely built around many surrounding schools/colleges for the youth. Great job Panera (sarcasm)

[@tootsiedawn2016]

Prayers for the family and friends.

[@firstlast8258]

Tots and pears 🍐

[@志瑜杨]

It sucks to lose someone this young. It is not Panera's fault though.

[@KingTemplarDragon]

Products with larhe amounts of caffeine should most definitely should have large lettering.

[@The-Contractor]

A continuation of the total lack of personal responsibility by certain generations.

[@durangomcmurphy1529]

I wouldn't eat at Panera if you paid me . During the Pandemic they treated me like garbage , wouldn't even take money , demanded interest bearing digital cards .

[@GodDamnPreacher]

Get over it karen

[@DimplesGenX]

FDA washes their hands - well it's up to the company. Isn't it up to government to protect consumers?

[@everyonelovesmajima]

Since when? They’d laugh in your face if we were talking about alcohol.

[@jessedesens5845]

The FDA does have a limitation on servings for caffeine, which is no more than 400 mg per one hour service to a customer. That means, that legally, not a single Starbucks anywhere is legitimately allowed to serve more than a 4 shot espresso cold brew coffee to a single person within 30 mins.... This rule of limitation is largely ignored. So... Per serving size, any given drink is between 12 and 24 oz. Panera was a 30 oz lemonade, 'charged' with what I can only assume is a pump dispenser of some company provided blend of caffeine and B vitamins. Even cans of Monster™ have a discretion label that advises consumers to not drink more than 2 cans in a day.... So the caffeine itself can adversely affect people with medical conditions or who are sensitive to its intake. The risk isn't only with the caffeine itself..., with certain supplements containing B vitamins, renal failure is also a long term usage side affect. The body deposits these excess B vitamins in the kidneys that usually turns into stones. I'm not certified to say that 5Hr energy is dangerous at 5 a day, but I can argue based on my simple gathered knowledge that it is certainly not safe.

[@chakiaman9375]

We used to be a serious country… 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@karenchristian9204]

When I found out what in it I stopped drinking it. Shame on Panera.

[@Miss_Cherry]

I can't drink an entire can of an energy drink. It makes me feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest.

[@brucejones8749]

That’s what happens when you’re never told no and you don’t learn accountability…

[@samirrangooni]

Educating the public on caffeine and how to read labels (ie. 35 mg of caffeine versus 80 mg)…and having companies be more ethically sound when sharing caffeine levels on packaging including larger fine print that can be easily found on a can, bottle or in this case on signage in front of a fountain drink station.

[@VC1472-p9i]

I'm sorry to the parents and the family for their loss. But it seems like it's not really warning others or spreading awareness to others about the charged drink. I feel like the parents can't and may never accept Sarah's death, and they're taking it out on Panera Bread. If a person has a medical condition where doing or consuming certain things could provoke an episode/event, then it's up to that person to take responsibility and accountability for their safety. Even if Panera Bread didn't properly label the lemonade, Sarah could have asked if it had caffeine, or how much. People can't possibly think that "charged" is regular lemonade.

[@ms.branch1207]

Thank You for sharing this unfortunate story 😢 I will share this. 🙏🏿

[@jojishigesso]

Can honestly blame the consumer, you should be aware of the word “charged” meaning to energy. Its freaking common sense.

[@DontBDeceivedUsowUreap]

This is incredibly sad. Who would think a lemonade drink would contain caffeine and this one an exorbitant amt of caffeine.

[@jacobcutrer]

I saw how much caffeine those drinks had and I was like wow it’s like 3 coffees in one drink.

[@idigrocks]

She seemed absolutely wonderful, it’s such a tragedy she’s gone

[@hollandershomestead4481]

FDA: “it’s up the the companies”. Sorry, what’s the point of having an FDA then?

[@rosanajackson4668]

I want Elizabeth Crawford to handle my case of food poisoning after eating chicken noodle soup from Panera Bread in Waldorf MD on Festival Way March 27, 2023 on Monday morning. I spent two weeks at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring MD suffering many illnesses including hair falling out, paranoia, tooth extractions, weight loss of 25 lbs, skin conditions, eye problems, sleep disturbance, diarrhea, dizziness, Panera Bread needs to be sued and held responsible for their behavior.

[@chairmanofthebored8684]

Are you suing them?

[@rosanajackson4668]

@@chairmanofthebored8684 YES

[@jeanetteh.9240]

My sincere condolences to the family, and my admiration for the actions they have taken to prevent this happening to someone else.

[@tdelarosa3]

If she had a heart condition why would she even think to drink something named Charged.. I feel bad for the family, but again it was the daughter was negligent as well as the parents for not properly educating their daughter about her condition and drinks with loads of sugar or caffeine. If Panera has to take this off their menu's, wouldn't this then set the precedence for other companies that sell drinks with loads of crap in them?

[@cygnevara8400]

knows she has a heart condition, proceeds to drink caffeinated beverage, expected no repercussions....if she was drinking caffeinated beverages it was only a matter of time, it just happened to be panera but could have easily been monster, redbull, mountain dew....

[@musicgram08]

I couldn’t tell from “reporting” what was strange ingredient in drink which caused problem?

[@scottcates]

Cutting edge journalism.

[@user-cat2024]

SHE is an ANGEL that came to EARTH to make a difference. SHE'S back HOME in HEAVEN with GOD.

[@mooshimooshi465]

Yes it said that Panera’s lemonade contained more caffeine than Monster and Red Bull together. Panera is totally at fault. They don’t even serve a 30oz coffee.

[@MrMaddox57]

means nothing! This video or the statements, these beverages WILL be back, liability risk or not, at Panera, and everywhere, and NO BAN will stand . That is all, and that is FINAL, and not setting a precedent for the future either or anything else, and goes to EVERYWHERE this video is posted.

[@Tbonacci76]

What they believe which means no proof just finding blames truly pathetic parents

[@woody1856]

I’ve had two friends have cardio issues after drinking monster/Red Bull. Glad I never drank the stuff.

[@kellygrady7566]

Wow that’s so scary ! So young so sad

[@CP-ho2wj]

Yeah, they won’t get any money from this.

[@qui_etes_vous]

I've never heard of the "charged" lemonade option at Panera....Did she drink too many? Um, sorry, no case- she already had a heart condition!

[@jacobcutrer]

You know what I remember going there once and ordering the charged lemonade thinking it was caffeine free because it wasn’t soda. This is so sad

[@DontBDeceivedUsowUreap]

Lemonade is my go to when I don't want a caffeine beverage.

[@kev8346]

Girl its called coffee. Stop with this artificial crap.

[@CLAUDIADELGADO-yh2ux]

Very sad

[@BlankName88]

Don't drink energy drinks 🤷‍♂️

[@MaurytheHedgehogDog]

Maybe Gavin Newsom will exempt Panera from lawsuits like he did from the $20 fast food wages.

[@SimonGonzales-t8c]

Parents fault not the lemonade

[@ChrisCupcake3]

What a shame

[@Strange_Brew]

I was born with Wpw syndrome which is similar to long QT. I had a very long and involved surgery using three catheters about 13 years ago. After I have been able to lead a normal life. I know the surgery is very expensive but I got on a study. I wonder why the parents didn’t get Sarah into surgery? There are many options including pacemakers. I think the parents are partly negligent.

[@Jeremy9697]

Wolf Parkinson white syndrom?

[@cacaochoka8853]

NO INVESTIGARON A LA AMIGA??? ELLA LES DIJO DE LA BEBIDA ? ESO ES SOSPECHOSO🤔🤔

[@trooper1972]

I drink lots of it.

[@Libra_Strings]

Who has died off lemonade other than this girl👀? This is crazy because Hard Mike’s Lemonade hasn’t had ANY issues…

[@mopthermopther]

Next they will try vodka

[@chuck9380]

They hit her with that fentanyl

[@firstlast8258]

Drugs are bad mkay

[@TheVampireRove]

😒😒😒

[@stahlah9036]

I’m so sorry for this family’s loss but I would look into other factors also.. there could be other liable sides in this not limited to Pfizer due to many , many, young people having heart issues like cardiac arrest after taking the vaccine. It’s worth looking into seeing how long before this did she if at all take any of the vaccines.? Either way It isn’t going to help their pain