Panera's loaded lemonade has come under fire from consumers and regulators after lawsuits alleging the highly caffeinated drink has been the source of long-term health problems and even death.
Now, the chain has decided to ditch the drinks as part of sweeping menu changes.
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“We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and we're focusing next on the wide range of beverages we know our guests want—from exciting, on-trend flavors to sugary options low and low in caffeine.” a Panera spokesman said CNBC.
According to BloombergPanera will begin phasing out the drink within the next two weeks and will replace it with a “broad range of beverages” featuring a blueberry lavender lemonade, a pomegranate hibiscus tea, a citrus punch and a tropical green smoothie.
The drink was at the center of three major lawsuits, two of which were filed on behalf of the families of 21-year-old Sarah Katz AND 46-year-old Dennis Brown. Both died after allegedly consuming the loaded lemonade, citing pre-existing medical conditions.
Another lawsuit filed in January claimed as much 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt developed long-term heart problems as a result of consuming two and a half Panera's Charged Lemonades.
“You put an innocuous product like lemonade in an innocuous bakery like Panera, what reasonable consumer is going to think they're drinking, essentially, three Red Bulls?” said Skerri's attorney, Elizabeth Crawford IN the time. “Everything in her life has changed because of this situation.”
According to Panera's nutritional information, a large 30 oz. serving loaded lemonade CONTAINS 390 mg of caffeine in addition to guarana extract, a natural stimulant.
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According to the FDA, The maximum amount of caffeine an average adult can safely consume per day is 400 mg, although the average adult consumes about 135 mg of caffeine per day.
Panera did not immediately respond of the entrepreneur request for comment.