Panera's Charged Lemonade cited in lawsuit over teen's cardiac arrest

An 18-year-old precocious schoolhouse pupil suffered cardiac apprehension aft drinking a caffeine-laden lemonade from Panera Bread, according to a suit filed weeks aft the nationwide concatenation said it was phasing retired the arguable beverage. 

Filed successful the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the suit follows astatine slightest 3 different complaints lodged against Panera implicit the highly caffeinated, sugary drinks dubbed Charged Sips. The erstwhile suits alleged the beverage caused 2 deaths and semipermanent bosom problems for another lawsuit successful Rhode Island.

The latest suit claims Luke Adams of Monroeville, Pa., had to beryllium resuscitated successful a movie theatre aft a person heard him making antithetic sounds connected the evening of March 9, 2024. The incidental occurred respective hours aft the teen had consumed a chickenhearted sandwich and a ample Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade from a section Panera eatery. 

A caller photograph of Luke Adams, a precocious schoolhouse pupil successful Monroeville, Pa. Family of Luke Adams

Adams was unaware the Charged Lemonade filled for him by a Panera worker was a ace vigor portion with precocious amounts of caffeine, sweetener and guarana, according to the complaint, which noted the portion contains 390 miligrams of caffeine without crystal and 237 milligrams of caffein with ice. 

A cardiologist and 2 nurses besides astatine the movie theatre performed CPR connected Adams, whose bosom was shocked by an automated outer defibrillator, according to the suit. Adams had 2 seizures aft being rushed to the hospital, the ailment stated.

"Luke's cardiac apprehension would person been prevented if Panera had removed this unsafe merchandise from their shelves aft 3 lawsuits had been filed," Elizabeth Crawford, a spouse successful Philadelphia-based instrumentality steadfast Kline & Spector, which represents Adams and plaintiffs successful 3 different suits against Panera, told CBS MoneyWatch successful an email.

Panera did not instantly respond to a petition for comment. The edifice concatenation had antecedently said its products were safe. 

Privately held by German concern steadfast JAB Holding Co., Panera operates much than 2,000 eateries crossed the U.S. and Canada.

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