A Pennsylvania lawmaker is calling for new warning labels on highly caffeinated drinks following the death of a University of Pennsylvania student that sparked national concern over energy drink safety.
House Bill 2377 would require large retailers to notify customers when a beverage contains high levels of caffeine. The proposal comes as state Rep. Sean Dougherty says more consumers are unknowingly drinking products with caffeine levels far higher than a typical cup of coffee.
Dougherty said he was moved to act after learning about the death of 21‑year‑old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student who died during finals week in 2022 after consuming a highly caffeinated Panera Charged Lemonade. He first heard Katz’s story through a family friend whose daughter was Katz’s roommate.
“It’s pretty simple. This is not a Democrat, Republican, independent issue. This is a people issue,” Dougherty said. “Government is a process. This doesn’t happen overnight, but we will be lobbying and hopefully getting this across the finish line in the near future.”
Under the bill, retailers would be required to post clear notices on drinks containing more than 80 milligrams of caffeine. Katz’s family has also advocated for the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act, a separate effort aimed at improving labeling and transparency around highly caffeinated beverages.
Katz’s mother, Jill Katz, said her daughter followed all health guidelines and that it was the roommate who helped the family understand what happened. “We only found out when it happened to Sarah. If it wasn’t for her roommate, she’s the one that figured it out and told us,” she said.
Dougherty hopes the bill will gain bipartisan support as it moves through the legislature. The proposal remains early in the process and must go through committee review before advancing in Harrisburg.
Dougherty says he expects to begin having more conversations with lawmakers in the coming months as House Bill 2377 moves forward.