Panera Bread sued by family of UPenn student who died after drinking Charged Lemonade
PHILADELPHIA - The family of a University of Pennsylvania student has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera Bread after their daughter suffered a cardiac arrest last year.
The lawsuit alleges Sarah Katz, 21, drank a 30 fluid ounce ‘Charged Lemonade’ drink from without knowing the caffeine content. Katz was diagnosed with a heart disorder called Long QT Type 1 Syndrome at age five and has always been vigilant about her health and cardiology appointments since, according to the family’s lawyer.
"Sarah had joined what is the unlimited Panera Sip Club, and she joined it approximately nine days before her death. Panera allows you to have access to as much of any kind of drink as you want per day," said Elizabeth Crawford, lawyer for the Katz family. "We know from her roommate that she had drank a lemonade that day, and with the unlimited sip club you are given the large size which is that 30 ounce size which contains 390 mg of caffeine. It also contains another substance, a stimulant called guarana, and that in conjunction with the caffeine and the sugar makes it more like an energy drink than just a coffee."
Crawford said Panera Bread had a duty to warn its consumers that this particular drink was an energy drink that could be dangerous to certain people.
A spokesperson for Panera said in a statement: "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."
Panera 'Charged Lemonade' blamed for Ivy League student's death in family lawsuit
The parents of a 21-year-old Ivy League student with a heart condition has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera Bread.
Dr. Mike Cirigliano of the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania said people with an underlying condition have to be very careful about what they’re consuming and if the labeling is not correct, you could be putting yourself at potential risk.
"She consumed a significant amount of caffeine and guarana which is a stimulant, and they are known to increase the risk of an arrhythmia. That’s where the heart goes into a funny rhythm and you can pass away, you can die from that," said Dr. Cirigliano. "You really should not be having kids consume caffeinated energy drinks. I’m not even a big fan of adults consuming these because in many cases they will then combine an energy drink with alcohol, which is kind of a recipe for disaster."
The family is fighting to have a warning added to the Charged Lemonade beverages or to have them taken off the menu at Panera Bread entirely.