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Chili's customers drank margaritas, then got chemical burns
USA Today • • business
Key Points:
- Three customers at a Chili's restaurant in Forest City, North Carolina, suffered chemical burns in and around their mouths after drinking margaritas contaminated by a cleaning chemical mistaken for sugar.
- The incident occurred after a contracted worker placed a granulated degreasing chemical in an unlabeled container, which was then used by an employee to prepare the margarita station.
- Two restaurant employees also tasted the contaminated substance and experienced similar chemical burn symptoms.
- The Foothills Health District suspended the restaurant's food service permit during an investigation, which was later reinstated after confirming all food safety requirements were met.
- Chili's has stated it is investigating the incident and emphasized the importance of proper chemical labeling, storage, and handling to prevent future occurrences.
