Panera Bread will stop selling its highly caffeinated "Charged Sips" drinks that have been tied to at least two wrongful death lawsuits.
The fast dining chain has promoted the drinks as naturally flavored and plant-based.
But the drinks contain 155-302mg of caffeine, according to the company's nutritional postings. A small cup of coffee generally has less than 100mg of caffeine. Coke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can.
The company posted a warning about them, stating: "Consume in moderation. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women."
Panera didn't say whether the drinks were going to be discontinued because of the lawsuits or health concerns.
Charged Sips were launched in 2022. They have caffeine derived from guarana, a plant extract often used in energy drinks, and green coffee extract, the Associated Press reported.
One lawsuit filed by the family of Dennis Brown claims that the 46-year-old died after regularly ordering the drinks.
The family of 21-year-old Sarah Katz also sued, claiming she died after consuming one of the drinks.
Consumer Federation of America sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Commissioner in February urging the agency to clarify food manufacturers' duty to evaluate the safety of cola-type beverages with excessive caffeine levels.
The letter specifically cited Panera's "Charged Lemonade."
It asked the FDA to "to take appropriate enforcement actions against manufacturers of unsafe products."
