Multiple lawsuits alleged the brand’s caffeinated Charged Lemonades killed or harmed guests. The fast-casual chain phased out the drinks last year and denied wrongdoing.

Panera Bread on Thursday confirmed the lawsuits surrounding its Charged Lemonades have all been resolved.

The fast-casual chain faced multiple lawsuits last year after guests died or were hospitalized after drinking the brand’s highly caffeinated energy drinks, which are no longer on the menu.

One lawsuit, which involved the death of a 21-year-old college student with a heart condition, was settled last year.

Reports indicated that three remaining lawsuits alleging harm from the brand’s Charged Lemonades have also been settled. All of the lawsuits were filed by the same plaintiff’s attorney.

One case was filed by the family of David Brown, a 46-year-old in Florida who died of a cardiac event after drinking the lemonade at a Panera in Florida.

In another case, an 18-year-old with no known heart issues also suffered cardiac arrest after consuming the energy drink. He survived, but was hospitalized.

And a 28-year-old diner in Rhode Island claimed the drink caused atrial fibrillation, a condition causing irregular heartbeats.

Panera denied wrongdoing in court documents, arguing the lemonades had caffeine levels equivalent to coffee. The brand last year added warning labels to the drinks, advising guests that they were not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine or pregnant or nursing women.

But the chain later phased out the lemonades, saying it was part of a menu refresh last year.

Panera officials declined to comment on the recent settlement, other than to say the lawsuits were resolved.

Source https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/panera-resolves-litigation-tied-energy-drinks

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