A Rhode Island women has filed a lawsuit against Panera Bread that alleges she developed multiple heart conditions as a direct result of drinking the restaurant’s Charged Lemonade drinks.
NBC News explored the allegations in a new report. According to 28-year-old Lauren Skerrit, she drank two and a half of the highly caffeinated beverages back in April 2023 and then went to the emergency room the very next day due palpitations. Skerrit was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation the very next day, she alleges, and she also started experiencing signs of supraventricular tachycardia.
According to the lawsuit, Skerrit was a competitive athlete in great health before this occurred. Now, however, she says she requires daily medications due to her heart issues and has had her daily life impacted in multiple ways.
As NBC News pointed out in its coverage, this is not the first time Panera Bread has been targeted by a lawsuit over these Charged Lemonades; two separate 2023 lawsuits already blame unexpected deaths on these drinks. The same law firm is involved in all three lawsuits.
Panera Bread currently offers its Charged Lemonade drinks in three flavors. According to text on the company’s website, they should be used in moderation and are not recommended for children, customers sensitive to caffeine or pregnant/nursing women. Panera Bread is not commenting on this latest incident, but the company has previously stated that it stands by the safety of its offerings.
Click the link below for more details from NBC News:
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.