A Pennsylvania lawmaker is seeking to require warning labels on highly caffeinated drinks sold at restaurants and other retail food facilities, according to the memo. Rep. Sean Dougherty announced plans to introduce legislation after a University of Pennsylvania student, Sarah Katz, died in September 2022 after drinking a Charged Lemonade from Panera. The memo states that Katz had a heart condition and did not know the drink was highly caffeinated. Dougherty said this bill would require retail food facilities to display a “high caffeine” warning, or similar language, next to any beverage containing 80 milligrams or more of caffeine. The warning would also appear on restaurant menus anywhere a heavily caffeinated beverage is listed, according to the memo. “While many of us consume caffeine frequently or even daily with little-to-no issues, the fact remains that caffeine is a stimulant, and a powerful one at high doses,” Dougherty said. “As more powerful energy drinks and coffees rise in popularity, I believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that consumers are aware of how much caffeine they consume.” Dougherty said that similar legislation has been introduced in several other states and at the federal level. “I believe that it is important to ensure that Pennsylvanians who may be sensitive to caffeine are aware of drinks that could potentially harm them,” Dougherty said. “This legislation provides Pennsylvanians with the clarity they need to make the decisions that are right for their health.” This bill has not yet been introduced.
A Pennsylvania lawmaker is seeking to require warning labels on highly caffeinated drinks sold at restaurants and other retail food facilities, according to the memo.
Rep. Sean Dougherty announced plans to introduce legislation after a University of Pennsylvania student, Sarah Katz, died in September 2022 after drinking a Charged Lemonade from Panera.
The memo states that Katz had a heart condition and did not know the drink was highly caffeinated.
Dougherty said this bill would require retail food facilities to display a “high caffeine” warning, or similar language, next to any beverage containing 80 milligrams or more of caffeine.
The warning would also appear on restaurant menus anywhere a heavily caffeinated beverage is listed, according to the memo.
“While many of us consume caffeine frequently or even daily with little-to-no issues, the fact remains that caffeine is a stimulant, and a powerful one at high doses,” Dougherty said. “As more powerful energy drinks and coffees rise in popularity, I believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that consumers are aware of how much caffeine they consume.”
Dougherty said that similar legislation has been introduced in several other states and at the federal level.
“I believe that it is important to ensure that Pennsylvanians who may be sensitive to caffeine are aware of drinks that could potentially harm them,” Dougherty said. “This legislation provides Pennsylvanians with the clarity they need to make the decisions that are right for their health.”
This bill has not yet been introduced.