Starbucks debuts fruity energy drink less than two months after Panera discontinues highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade

[Pelican Press 0]

Starbucks debuts fruity energy drink less than two months after Panera discontinues highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade

Starbucks on Tuesday launched a drink at stores nationwide called Iced Energy, which has up to 205 milligrams of caffeine in it — about the same amount as six cans of Coke. The fruity energy drink debuts less than two months after bakery-cafe chain Panera Bread announced it was 

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, a beverage that lawsuits blamed for two deaths and referred to as a “dangerous energy drink.”

The Iced Energy comes in three flavors, including its most caffeinated flavor, Tropical Citrus, which has 205 milligrams of caffeine, according to 

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. That’s more than a grande 

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, which has 150 milligrams of caffeine, but significantly less than Panera’s Charged Lemonade, which had 390 milligrams of caffeine when it was served in a large, 30-fluid-ounce cup without ice. Panera started phasing out the Charged Lemonade on May 7, and it has denied any wrongdoing, saying it removed the beverage as part of a broader menu transformation.

Except for its Frozen Tropical Citrus Iced Energy with Strawberry Puree, Iced Energy is sugar-free, containing artificial sweeteners. All flavors have caffeine, vitamins and taurine — an amino acid 

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 that has been touted as helping 

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, though more studies are needed. While taurine is not a stimulant, some animal studies indicate that regular consumption of it in high doses could be 

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.

Charged Lemonade, on the other hand, contained sugar and 

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, a stimulant that purportedly aids with weight loss and improves cognition, but that can be 

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 in large amounts.

Charged Lemonade and Iced Energy are part of a growing category called “functional beverages” that chains big and small are eager to jump into, according to experts. Such beverages contain ingredients that are said to improve health.

“You’re just seeing that ******* for functional beverages taking hold in a lot of different beverage segments,” said Brian Warrener, director of the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, adding that nonalcoholic “mocktail” elixirs is another area of enormous growth within functional beverages. “Consumers believe that there is some benefit.”

Starbucks’ new drink comes amid a slew of similar options elsewhere. In February, as Panera reeled from the 

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 over its Charged Lemonade, 

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, fizzy energy drinks with guarana and taurine that come in peach and berry flavors and have up to 192 milligrams of caffeine. 

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 that have up to 125 milligrams of “natural caffeine” from green coffee beans.  

The energy drink market as a whole has exploded: As of mid-May, annual U.S. sales of energy drinks had surged to nearly $22 billion, up from about $13.5 billion at the end of 2019, according to Circana, a Chicago-based market research firm.

And energy drinks have more caffeine than ever. Red Bull, which has been sold for decades, contains 114 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-fluid-ounce can, while many newer brands, including Celsius, contain 200 milligrams or more. Others, such as Bang, have 300 milligrams.

The 

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 says healthy adults can generally consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, the equivalent to about four or five cups of coffee. 

Starbucks’ menu has items that approach that level, such as the 

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, which has 360 milligrams. 

While most adults can have caffeine, the ********* Academy of Pediatrics says there are no benefits of caffeine for children, and it has specifically stated that 

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 because of health concerns.

A growing number of countries have 

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, with 

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 to those under 18. In the U.S., multiple 

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.

Starbucks’ Iced Energy is different from its refreshers, popular caffeinated juices with about 30 milligrams or more of caffeine — just over the amount in a can of Coke. Starbucks baristas have shared on TikTok that parents are not always aware that refreshers contain caffeine when they 

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.

Starbucks did not respond to multiple requests for comment on its Iced Energy, including whether it would take any steps to prevent children from drinking them.

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Restaurants,Starbucks Corp,Food and drink,Breaking News: Business,Retail industry,Health care industry,Life,business news
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