Their daughter, Sarah, died at 21 after living with a heart condition known as long QT syndrome type 1. Managing it meant taking daily medication and steering clear of anything that could spike her heart rate. Her parents believe a large “Charged Lemonade” from Panera Bread triggered the cardiac arrhythmia that led to her death.
Sarah was careful about her condition, according to people close to her. “She was very, very vigilant about what she needed to do to keep herself safe,” her college roommate, Victoria Rose Conroy, told NBC. “I guarantee if Sarah had known how much caffeine this was, she never would have touched it.”
The Katz family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Panera, arguing the company didn’t clearly disclose that the 30-ounce drink contained 390 milligrams of caffeine. The complaint also says the beverage was marketed as “plant-based and clean,” with caffeine levels comparable to its dark roast coffee.
Even though her doctors said coffee was allowed, Sarah generally avoided it out of caution, her parents said.
Grateful to have Jill Katz and friends in DC leading a CPR training session.
After the loss of their daughter, Sarah Katz, Sarah’s parents have turned their grief into advocacy – working to prevent future tragedies by promoting CPR education and empowering others to save lives. pic.twitter.com/Pp3TAagklp
— Rep. Rob Menendez (@RepMenendez) March 20, 2026
For comparison, the drink reportedly contained more than three times the caffeine in a standard 12-ounce Red Bull.
Now her parents are pushing for broader changes. They’ve taken their concerns to Congress, calling for clearer labeling on high-caffeine drinks and menu items so others don’t face the same risk.
They’ve found support in Rep. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who drafted the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act. The proposal would require clear labeling on energy drinks and restaurant items containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine.
“It’s just like disclosures for calories or if something contains peanuts,” Jill Katz told the New York Post. “I don’t want to have to search in tiny print to understand what I’m about to consume.”
The push comes as energy drinks and high-caffeine beverages continue to grow in popularity, especially among younger consumers. For the Katz family, the goal is straightforward: make sure people know exactly what they’re drinking before it’s too late.
