Panera's Controversial Lemonade: A Deadly Brew in America

Panera is facing two wrongful death lawsuits alleging that its Charged Lemonade, which contains an unusual amount of caffeine for lemonade, is linked to the deaths of two customers. The lawsuits claim that the product is defective and poses an unreasonable risk of bodily harm. However, the story highlights the shortcomings of the United States' regulatory regime, which relies on lawsuits rather than proactive safety measures. The FDA barely regulates caffeine, and the government does not require warning labels or disclose caffeine amounts on labels. The lawsuits raise questions about who should determine the safety standards for products like caffeinated lemonade and whether the current system of relying on lawsuits is the best approach.