Dunkin’ is selling a new energy drink it touts as containing a “kick of caffeine” even as rival chain Panera faces three lawsuits related to its caffeinated lemonade. Released. The lawsuit claims two people died.
Dunkin’s new energy drink line, dubbed SPARKD, comes in Peach Sunshine and Berry Burst flavors and became available Wednesday at the coffee and donut chain’s approximately 29,000 U.S. stores. There was a report earlier today.
According to the nutrition facts on Dunkin’s website, a large SPARKD’ drink that serves 20 ounces of fruit juice contains 192 milligrams of caffeine.
SPARKD’ drinks also contain 37 grams of sugar and 40 grams of carbohydrates, which are fattening.
A representative for Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ declined the Post’s request for comment.
SPARKD’s launch comes after Panera was hit with three lawsuits related to Charged Lemonade in the past year.
According to the lawsuit filed against Panera, this charged lemonade contains a whopping 390 milligrams of caffeine, three times the 111 milligrams of caffeine in a standard 12-ounce can of Red Bull. That’s all.
by food and drug administrationAdults should consume less than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is the equivalent of about 4 to 5 cups of coffee.
However, the FDA warned that “too much” caffeine can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as weight, medications and personal sensitivities.
Just recently, Lauren Skerritt, a 28-year-old from Rhode Island, claimed that Panera’s popular drink sent her to the emergency room after suffering a heart attack.
Two other plaintiffs, Ivy League student Sarah Katz, 21, and Dennis Brown, 46, of Florida, suffered fatal heart attacks after drinking the lemon-flavored drink. argued in each lawsuit.
Panera said the two previous lawsuits were “equally without merit.”
All three lawsuits were filed by plaintiffs represented by personal injury attorney Elizabeth Crawford.
Missouri-based Panera, which has more than 2,000 stores nationwide, then reportedly moved Charged Lemonade out of reach of customers in October.
“After the first lawsuit, they put stickers on the bubblers where they kept the product. [lemonade] We warn that it contains caffeine and may be dangerous to certain people,” an anonymous Panera employee told the Post.
According to Panera staff, it was then “moved behind the counter” and a sign was placed above the counter by another bubbler informing customers that “paid” items were behind the counter.
The employee added, “When we first got the chargers, some stores already had them behind the counter, but not all stores.”
Dunkin’s site does not list any warnings related to the caffeine content of the new SPARKD’ drinks.
