Dunkin’ released new energy drinks it touts as containing a “kick of caffeine” despite rival chain Panera facing three lawsuits related to its own caffeinated lemonade — which were alleged to have caused two deaths.
Dubbed SPARKD’, Dunkin’s new line of energy drinks come in Peach Sunshine and Berry Burst flavors, and became available at the coffee and donut chain’s some 29,000 US locations on Wednesday, Today earlier reported.
According to nutrition facts posted on Dunkin’s website, a large SPARKD’ drink, which offers 20 ounces of the juiced-up beverage, contains 192 milligrams of caffeine.
A SPARKD’ drink also boasts a belly-busting 37 grams of sugar and 40 grams of carbohydrates.
Representatives for Massachussets-based Dunkin’ declined The Post’s request for comment.
The launch of SPARKD’ comes after Panera was slapped with three lawsuits related to its Charged Lemonade over the past year.
Per lawsuits filed against Panera, it’s Charged Lemonade contains a staggering 390 milligrams of caffeine — more than three times the 111 milligrams of caffeine found in a standard 12-ounce can of Red Bull.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, adults should have no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to about four or five cups of coffee.
However, depending on factors such as body weight, medications and individual sensitivity, “too much” caffeine can vary from person to person, the FDA warned.
Most recently, 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt from Rhode Island claimed she was rushed to the emergency room after suffering heart problems caused by the popular drink from Panera.
The two other plaintiffs — Ivy League student Sarah Katz, 21, and 46-year-old Dennis Brown, from Florida — suffered fatal heart attacks after sipping on the lemony beverage, their respective lawsuits claimed.
Panera has said the previous two 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 locations nationwide, has since reportedly relocated its Charged Lemonade out of customers’ reach in October.
“After the first lawsuit, they put a sticker on the bubblers that hold the [lemonade] that warns it has caffeine and it could be dangerous for certain groups of people,” an unnamed Panera employee told The Post.
It was then “moved behind the counter,” and a sign was placed a on the counter by the other bubblers telling customers that the “charged” offerings are behind the counter, according to the Panera staffer.
The employee added that “some stores already had the chargers behind the counter from when we first got them, but not all.”
Dunkin’ does not have any type of warning on its site related to the caffeine content in its new SPARKD’ drinks.
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