Fatal Zest: Peril Lurking In A Glass Of Lemonade

Why we need more transparency about what we eat and drink.

Photo by Pedro Forester Da Silva on Unsplash

You don’t count on a close family member dying after drinking lemonade at a restaurant. Right? Lemonade captures summer’s radiance in a glass.

Yet Sarah, a 21-year-old college student, suffered a cardiac arrest soon after drinking Panera Bread’s “Charged Lemonade.” Later it was revealed that it harbored stratospheric levels of caffeine, packing more of a stimulant punch than downing a Red Bull and Monster Energy drink together, according to a wrongful death lawsuit.

While Panera advertises its Charged Lemonade as a refreshing way to “power up,” Katz’s case shows the dangers of masks drink as simple “lemonade” when it contains excess hidden caffeine without proper labeling.

Her devastating experience shows why we need more transparency in listing caffeine content on menus to protect consumers.

Katz’s loved ones hope her loss saves others by encouraging food and beverage companies to be more responsible and transparent. Though nothing can undo this tragedy, clearer caffeine disclosures could prevent more families from suffering similar horrors from “harmless” drinks that turn out to be…