Authorized motion follows a case the place dad and mom claimed their daughter died after consuming one of many drinks
The security of caffeine consumption is beneath scrutiny as Panera Bread faces a lawsuit alleging a connection between their “Charged Lemonades” and deadly cardiac occasions.
This authorized motion follows a earlier case the place dad and mom claimed their daughter, with a coronary heart situation, died after consuming one of many drinks. Panera, nevertheless, asserts the security of its merchandise, stating that the lawsuits lack benefit.
Issues about excessive caffeine content material lengthen past Panera, with Senator Chuck Schumer urging an FDA investigation into PRIME Vitality drinks earlier this 12 months.
Medical doctors have cautioned in opposition to kids consuming these drinks, emphasising that there is no such thing as a confirmed protected caffeine dose for kids, and people beneath 12 ought to keep away from it.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids aged 12 to 18 mustn’t exceed 100 mg of caffeine day by day on account of potential well being dangers.
For adults, the FDA suggests a day by day caffeine consumption of as much as roughly 400 milligrams, equal to 4 or 5 cups of espresso.
Nonetheless, particular person sensitivity to caffeine varies, and extreme consumption can result in hostile results resembling insomnia, jitters, and upset abdomen.
Dr Randy Peters from Allegheny Well being Community warns of potential toxicity with doses round 1,200 milligrams, inflicting extreme signs like palpitations and panic assaults.
Panera’s Charged Lemonade varieties, together with Mango Yuzu Citrus, Strawberry Lemon Mint, and Blood Orange, have raised eyebrows on account of their substantial caffeine content material.
Discrepancies within the reported caffeine ranges for a similar product and measurement have been famous, creating confusion for shoppers. A big 30-ounce Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade is listed as containing 390 milligrams of caffeine and 124 grams of sugar in lawsuits and on Panera’s web site, whereas one other web page cites 235 milligrams of caffeine and 74 grams of sugar for a similar product with out ice.
As questions surrounding caffeine ranges intensify, Panera has added a cautionary notice on its web site, advising shoppers to “eat sparsely” and explicitly stating that the drinks are “NOT RECOMMENDED FOR kids, individuals delicate to caffeine, pregnant or nursing ladies.”