FDA Is ‘Gathering Information’ on Panera’s Charged Lemonade After Parents Sue Over the Death of Their Daughter

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is “collecting information” about Panera’s “Charged Lemonade” following the death of 21-year-old college student Sarah Katz. Her parents claim she died as a result of consuming the chain’s caffeinated drink.

According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE, Jill and Michael Katz are suing the fast-casual restaurant chain after their daughter, who had a heart condition, died in September 2022. The lawsuit alleges that Panera’s Charged Lemonade is “unreasonably dangerous.” On Thursday, the FDA responded to the reports.

“The FDA is saddened to hear of the consumer death and, as always, takes seriously reports of illness or injury from regulated products,” an FDA spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE. “We are currently gathering information about this event.”

Parents are suing Panera, claiming their ‘loaded lemonade’ contributed to the death of their daughter with a heart condition

The statement continued, “The agency monitors the market for FDA-regulated products and takes appropriate action, including cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission regarding marketing claims.” Panera did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment following this update. A regular serving of Panera’s Charged Lemonade contains 260 milligrams of caffeine, while a large has 390 milligrams, according to Panera’s website. The drink is advertised as having “as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee”.

Sarah Katz.

The Katz family

The lawsuit alleges that Sarah was diagnosed with long QT syndrome type 1 when she was five years old. The condition can cause an irregular heart rhythm. The University of Pennsylvania student reportedly avoided stimulants like energy drinks and highly caffeinated beverages throughout her life because of her diagnosis.

The parents’ lawsuit alleges that on September 10, 2022, Sarah purchased and drank Panera’s Charged Lemonade “reasonably believing that it was a traditional lemonade and/or electrolyte sports drink containing a reasonable amount of caffeine that was safe for her to consume.”

Later that day, she went into cardiac arrest while at a restaurant with friends. After being brought to Pennsylvania Presbyterian Hospital, she was re-arrested and pronounced dead.

Panera loaded lemonade. Panera Panera customer goes viral after realizing their lemonade contains more caffeine than 4 espressos

According to the medical examiner’s report obtained by PEOPLE, Sarah’s cause of death was “cardiac arrhythmia caused by long QT syndrome.”

“We were very saddened to learn of the tragic death of Sarah Katz this morning and our hearts go out to her family,” a Panera spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement at the time. “At Panera, we strongly believe in transparency around our ingredients. We will work quickly to thoroughly investigate this matter.”

One of the attorneys in the complaint, Elizabeth Crawford of Kline and Specter, PC, tells PEOPLE that “it’s very important for the family to protect other people and raise public awareness in order to save lives.”

According to the lawsuit, Sarah was active in her university community. She worked as a membership coordinator and CPR training project manager in the Student Committee for Undergraduate Education. She was also the social president of her sorority, Sigma Kappa.

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Source: HIS Education