Key Takeaways
- A Chili’s employee in Forest City, North Carolina, mistook granulated degreaser for sugar or salt and used it to prepare margaritas, leaving three customers with chemical burns around their mouths.
- An employee had stored the cleaner in an unlabeled container near the bar, and two workers experienced similar symptoms after tasting it.
- Health officials suspended the restaurant’s food service permit, then restored it Thursday after confirming food safety compliance; Chili’s called the incident an isolated situation.
Three customers at a Chili's restaurant in North Carolina suffered chemical burns after a cleaning product was mistakenly used to prepare their margaritas.
According to the Foothills Health District, the incident occurred Wednesday (Oct. 28) at the restaurant's Forest City location when an employee accidentally used a granulated degreasing chemical while making drinks, believing it was a margarita ingredient.
Health officials said the mix-up began Monday (Oct. 26), when a contractor power-washing the outside of the restaurant gave an employee a granulated degreaser. The employee transferred the substance into an unlabeled container, which was later brought inside and left near the bar.
Two days later, another employee preparing the bar for lunch service discovered the container and reportedly mistook its contents for sugar or salt.
Three customers ordered margaritas shortly after the restaurant opened and immediately experienced discomfort after drinking them. All three suffered chemical burns in and around their mouths and sought medical attention.
Two Chili's employees also experienced similar symptoms after tasting the substance in the container.
"I'm not sure what degree of chemical burns they had, but they went to urgent care and were treated there," Foothills Health District spokesperson Megan Rollins told News 13.
Following the incident, health officials immediately suspended the restaurant's food service permit and ordered employees to thoroughly clean and sanitize the affected preparation areas, equipment, and surfaces.
By Thursday morning, investigators had completed their review and reinstated the restaurant's permit after determining that the location met "all applicable food safety requirements."
The incident left some local residents questioning the restaurant's safety.
Levonne Baker, a regular Chili's customer, told News 13 that he was shocked by what happened.
"It's like a Wes Craven story that's coming to life. I mean, you don't get margaritas that can burn your skin," Baker said.
He also admitted that the situation made him hesitant about returning to the restaurant's bar.
"It has made me a little nervous about going back to the bar because it's like, what's in there next?" he said.
Chili's addressed the incident in a statement, describing it as an isolated situation.
"Our team took immediate action to support those affected and avoid further injuries," the company said. "We have thoroughly investigated the circumstances and addressed the issues specific to this location. The health and wellbeing of our guests and Team Members remain our top priority."
The company's statement referenced injuries to two guests, although health officials reported that three customers were affected.
Foothills Health District Director Jason Masters emphasized the importance of properly identifying and storing cleaning products to prevent similar incidents.
"This incident highlights the importance of proper chemical labeling, storage and handling in food service establishments, as required by the North Carolina Food Code, to prevent chemical contamination and protect public health," Masters said.
