HEALTH
How much caffeine is in charged lemonade at Panera? How much is too much?
The beverage has been linked to two deaths according to two lawsuits, alleging improper labelling of caffeine content.
Panera Bread is facing legal trouble after its lemonade, charged with caffeine, is alleged to have been involved in the deaths of two people and changed the heart rhythm of another.
The ‘Charged Lemonade’ is noted on the Panera website as “Naturally flavored, plant-based, with about as much CAFFEINE as our Dark Roast Coffee.” However, it has been alleged that the large lemonade actually contains up to 390 milligrams of caffeine per 30 ounces, a staggering four times stronger than a cup of coffee. A regular size has 260 milligrams of caffeine.
The lawsuits are claiming it is an “unreasonably dangerous” product and that customers are not warned of the potentially dangerous levels of caffeine in the drink.
How much is too much caffeine?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), moderate caffeine consumption is defined as up to 400 milligrams per day. This is roughly equivalent to four 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola, or two “energy shot” drinks.
Drinking more than one charged lemonade would put the average adult over the limit, a fact not helped by the free refills available at Panera.
Pregnant individuals, individuals with certain medical conditions are advised to limit their caffeine intake further, with children not advised to have any.