Industrial degreaser mixed into margaritas at NC Chili's, burning three customers and two staff
A contractor's unlabeled cleaning chemical sat in a Forest City bar area for two days before an employee mistook it for sugar — with immediate consequences for everyone who tasted the drinks.
Three customers at a Chili's Grill & Bar in Forest City, North Carolina, felt their mouths burn the moment they sipped their margaritas on Wednesday. The drinks had been prepared not with sugar or salt, but with a granulated industrial degreaser — the kind used to power-wash building exteriors.
The chain of events that led there began two days earlier. According to the Foothills Health District, a contracted worker handed an employee an industrial degreasing chemical while power-washing the restaurant's exterior. The employee placed it in an unlabeled container and left it in the bar area. On Wednesday, a different employee prepping the bar for lunch service found the container, assumed the granulated contents were sugar or salt, and used it to set up the margarita station.
Once the restaurant opened, three customers ordered margaritas and, according to the health district, immediately experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths. After those customers alerted staff, two employees tasted the substance themselves and reported similar symptoms.
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.— Jason Masters, Health Director, Foothills Health District
The Foothills Health District launched an investigation and immediately suspended the restaurant's food service permit. Staff were directed to clean and sanitize all affected equipment, surfaces, and preparation areas. Environmental health specialists completed their review on October 29 and reinstated the permit after determining the restaurant met all other food safety standards, according to WRAL.
We are aware of an isolated incident at our restaurant in Forest City, North Carolina that resulted in injuries to two of our guests and Team Members. Our team took immediate action to support those affected and avoid any further injuries. We are actively investigating the circumstances related to this incident as the health and wellbeing of our guests and Team Members remain our top priority.— Chili's spokesperson
Chili's statement referred to injuries to 'two' guests and team members combined, while the Foothills Health District's preliminary findings identified three customers who experienced chemical burns — a discrepancy Fox News Digital noted without resolution from either party.
The health district used the incident as a public reminder to all food service establishments in North Carolina: chemicals must be properly labeled and stored away from any food-handling area, as required by the state's Food Code. The Forest City restaurant, now operating under a reinstated permit, is the subject of an ongoing company investigation.
Why it matters — The incident shows how a single unlabeled container — left in the wrong place for two days — can turn a routine restaurant shift into a public health emergency, and why chemical storage rules in food service exist.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- Chili's described injuries to 'two' guests and team members, while health officials identified three customers alone as having suffered chemical burns.
- specific calendar date October 28 (sources identify only as Wednesday)
Sources differ on Number of customers injured: Three customers experienced chemical burns (foxnews.com (citing Foothills Health District)) vs Injuries to 'two of our guests and Team Members' (combined figure) (foxnews.com (citing Chili's statement))
Reported by foxnews.com, wral.com, newsobserver.com
