Panera Bread's ‘Charged Lemonade’ being blamed for student's death, family files lawsuit

The family of a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student is suing Panera Bread and blaming their "Charged Lemonade" for her death in a lawsuit filed against the chain restaurant.

According to the lawsuit filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County on Monday, Sarah Katz collapsed hours after consuming the energy drink on September 10, 2022. She fell into cardiac arrest and was transported to a hospital where she went into another cardiac arrest and died.

Katz had a heart condition called long QT syndrome type 1, which caused an irregular heart rhythm, so she avoided energy drinks. According to the lawsuit, the charged lemonade had 390 mg of caffeine in it, far more than what can be found in drinks like Monster or Red Bull but was not advertised properly.

In a statement to USA TODAY, a Panera spokesperson said: “We were very saddened to learn this morning about the tragic passing of Sarah Katz, and our hearts go out to her family. At Panera, we strongly believe in transparency around our ingredients. We will work quickly to thoroughly investigate this matter.”

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Energy drink dangers

The lawsuit alleges that these types of beverages "include no warning of any potentially dangerous effects, even the life-threatening effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and/or brain function."

Katz, who had purchased an unlimited sip club from the chain just a few days earlier was very familiar with Panera, who advertised themselves as a "healthier and 'clean' fast food chain restaurant" the lawsuit said.

The college student was also an avid Gatorade drinker, and knew that that drink which is also advertised as "charged" used electrolyte's but did not contain any caffeine.

The Charged Lemonade was displayed in the Philadelphia Panera store that Katz went to alongside the chains other non-caffeinated and/or less caffeinated drinks. According to the lawsuit, "it was not advertised as an 'energy drink.'"

Katz drank the charged beverage "reasonably confident it was a traditional lemonade and/or electrolyte sports drink containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for her to drink," the lawsuit said.

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Katz was mindful of her health

Victoria Rose Conroy, Katz roommate and friend told NBC News that Katz was always mindful to follow her doctors recommendations on what to consume or avoid because of her heart condition.

“She was very, very vigilant about what she needed to do to keep herself safe,” Conroy told NBC News. “I guarantee if Sarah had known how much caffeine this was, she never would have touched it with a 10-foot pole.”

The drink itself was advertised as "plant based and clean" drink, but the lawsuit alleges that the 30oz cup Katz drank was packed with sugar, 390 milligrams of caffeine, as well as other stimulants.

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Remembering Sarah

The 21-year-old was studying international relations and health and societies with a minor in East Asian languages and civilizations, the lawsuit said.

Katz had received a full merit scholarship to the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, China to learn Mandarin before enrolling in the University of Pennsylvania.

She worked as a research assistant at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and served as a Rep Cap Ambassador with the American Heart Association, teaching CPR in underserved communities and high schools.

Katz also served as a membership coordinator and CPR training project chair in the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education and was a student leader in the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society, a member in Penn Hillel and was the social chair of Sigma Kappa sorority.

Conroy told NBC News that Katz was “the most involved and passionate person I’ve ever met,” and "someone who would smile and wave to everyone on campus."

“She was taken from us so soon, and she shouldn’t have been,” Conroy said. “She had so much more to give.”