A cleaning chemical on the margarita rim
Five people suffered chemical burns at a Chili's Grill & Bar in Forest City, North Carolina, after a degreasing chemical was mistaken for sugar and used to rim margarita glasses, according to the Foothills Health District.
Three customers ordered margaritas on Wednesday, October 28, and felt burning in and around their mouths as soon as they took a sip. Two employees who later tasted the substance reported the same symptoms. The customers told staff before leaving to get medical care, and some were reported to have gone to an urgent care center. Their conditions have not been publicly released.
How it happened
Health officials traced the mix-up to a contractor who was power-washing the outside of the building:
A restaurant employee received a white, granulated degreasing chemical from the contractor and put it in an unlabeled container.
The container was brought inside and left in the bar area.
The next morning, an employee preparing the bar for lunch found it, assumed it was sugar, and added it to the margarita station's rimming tray.
Three margaritas were rimmed with the chemical and served to customers.
The health district immediately suspended the restaurant's food service permit and ordered staff to wash, rinse and sanitize every surface that may have touched the chemical. After cleaning and re-inspection, the restaurant reopened. NBC News reported that it has not been fined.
Health Director Jason Masters said the incident shows why chemicals must be properly labeled, stored and handled in restaurants, as the North Carolina Food Code requires.
Chili's called it an isolated incident, said it acted right away to support those affected, and said it is conducting its own review. The company said guest and team member safety remains its top priority.
Elsewhere at Chili's
It has been an eventful week for the chain:
Car crash in Arkansas. Four people were hurt when a vehicle crashed into a Chili's in Conway, Arkansas, late last week. The restaurant closed for the rest of the day.
November Margarita of the Month. The StrawEddy Margarita, a fan favorite last offered earlier this year, is back as the featured drink for November.
A secret-menu sandwich. The Chicken Parm Big Crispy launched nationally on October 20. It isn't on the printed menu, so customers have to ask for it by name.