Panera’s Charged Lemonade has made headlines since it were first added to the menu in 2022—and not in a good way. This past October, the chain was sued after a college student died after drinking the highly caffeinated beverage. And now, less than two months after the first filing, the controversial Charged Lemonade is at the center of yet another wrongful death lawsuit filed by the same law firm.
Dennis Brown, a 46-year-old man from Fleming Island, Florida, drank three Charged Lemonades at a Panera before suffering from a fatal cardiac arrest on his walk home. According to the suit, Brown consumed the drink on six other occasions in the days leading to his death—but wasn’t aware that it contained caffeine. The lawsuit mentions that Brown avoided energy drinks because of his high blood pressure as well as a developmental delay, an unspecified chromosomal deficiency disorder, and a mild learning disability.
The caffeinated drinks were first marketed as the “perfect balance of flavor and energy” with the same amount of caffeine as their dark roast coffee. A 20-ounce serving of Charged Lemonade contains 260 milligrams of caffeine, and the large 30-ounce cup has 390 milligrams. For reference, FDA guidelines recommend that “healthy adults” consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. A single shot of espresso has about 63 milligrams of caffeine.
Not long after Panera launched their Charged Lemonades, they also rolled out their Unlimited Sip Club. For $10.99 a month plus tax, Unlimited Sip Club members can take advantage of free refills for all self-serve beverages—including Charged Lemonades.
Drinking just one free refill of a large Charged Lemonade means consuming nearly twice the daily recommended amount of caffeine. Both Brown and the student at the center of the first lawsuit were members of the Unlimited Sip Club.
The beverage quickly went viral for its high caffeine levels. TikTok user @sarahebaus posted posted a video in December of last year after drinking several Charged Lemonades left her feeling “like the Hulk.”
After the first lawsuit, Panera expanded their warnings to their online menu and restaurant signage. They now suggest drinking Charged Lemonades in moderation and disclose that they are not meant for children, those sensitive to caffeine, or pregnant or nursing women.
In response to the second suit filed on Monday, Panera said, “Based on our investigation we believe his unfortunate passing was not caused by one of the company’s products. We view this lawsuit, which was filed by the same law firm as a previous claim, to be equally without merit. Panera stands firmly by the safety of our products.”
