3 customers suffer chemical burns after drinking margaritas at Chili's in North Carolina
FOREST CITY, N.C. -- An investigation occurred after a chemical exposure incident at a Chili's Grill & Bar in western North Carolina, officials confirmed.
The incident led to multiple people enduring chemical burns after consuming drinks that were prepared with a cleaning chemical mistakenly identified as sugar, according to a press release from the Foothills Health District. This occurred at the restaurant's Forest City location.
The Foothills Health District said preliminary information indicates that on Monday, Oct. 26, an employee received a "granulated degreasing chemical" from a contracted worker power-washing the outside of the restaurant and put it in an unlabeled container. The container was then brought into the restaurant and left in the bar area, the public health agency said.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, an employee preparing the bar for lunch service found the container and used it to prepare margaritas, believing it was sugar.
According to the release, three customers later ordered margaritas and "immediately experienced discomfort" and had chemical burns in and around their mouths, before telling staff of the situation and leaving to seek medical attention. In response, two restaurant employees tasted the substance in the container and had similar symptoms, per preliminary findings.
"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 said.
The Foothills Health District then opened an investigation and issued an immediate suspension of the food service permit at the Chili's location. Staff were instructed to thoroughly wash and sanitize affected food preparation areas, as well as equipment and surfaces.
Levonne Baker, a regular Chili's customer, spoke to News 13 about the incident.
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"I was beyond surprised and almost scared," Baker said. He described the situation as something out of a horror movie.
"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.
Baker says the incident has also made him reconsider whether he will return 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? I mean, am I going to be the next person who's going next door? And not for an oil change," he said.
As of Thursday morning, environmental health specialists with Foothills Health District have completed their investigation. The food service permit at the Chili's location has also been reinstated after officials determined the restaurant met "all applicable food safety requirements."
The restaurant chain was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of the report.
Health officials say the incident highlights the importance of properly labeling chemicals in workplaces and homes to prevent accidental exposure. Rollins added that by having everything labeled, if something is still ingested, it can be easier to identify.
"Then you can call Poison Control, and they can walk you through exactly how to neutralize that chemical," Rollins said.
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