In a series of alarming incidents, Panera Bread is facing multiple lawsuits over its highly caffeinated "Charged Lemonade" beverage. The latest lawsuit comes from a 28-year-old obstacle course racer, Lauren Skerritt, who claims to have experienced heart problems after consuming the drink. Two previous lawsuits have also been filed against the restaurant chain, both involving fatal heart attacks.

Skerritt's complaint states that she suffered an irregular heartbeat after consuming two and a half servings of Panera Bread's "Charged Lemonade" from their outpost in Greenville, R.I. on April 8, 2020. Since then, she has reportedly experienced recurrent episodes of rapid heartbeat without any discernible pattern. Skerritt's lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Delaware superior court, follows similar claims made by two other plaintiffs represented by personal injury attorney Elizabeth Crawford.

Panera Bread has vehemently denied the allegations made in the previous two lawsuits, stating that they were "equally without merit." A spokesperson for the company was not available for immediate comment on the latest lawsuit.

One of the earlier lawsuits involves the family of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student. The complaint alleges that Katz suffered a fatal heart attack hours after consuming Panera's "Charged Lemonade." She had reportedly believed it to be a traditional lemonade or an electrolyte sports drink with a reasonable amount of caffeine. Katz's family claims that Panera included the beverage as part of its "Sip Club," encouraging customers to drink unlimited amounts of the product.

The other lawsuit was filed by the family of Dennis Brown, a 46-year-old resident of Florida who died of cardiac arrest shortly after drinking the Charged Lemonade. Panera Bread expressed sympathy for Brown's family but asserted that their products were not responsible for his passing.

Panera's "Charged Lemonade" contains a staggering 390 milligrams of caffeine in a large serving, nearly reaching the FDA's daily maximum intake limit of 400 milligrams. Notably, this amount surpasses the combined caffeine content of Red Bull and Monster energy drinks.

As these lawsuits progress, Panera Bread has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the safety of their beverage. The company stands by its commitment to transparency regarding ingredient information.

The severity of these allegations, along with the mounting lawsuits, raise concerns about the potential health risks associated with highly caffeinated drinks. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome may have significant implications for the beverage industry and consumers alike.