3 North Carolina customers suffer chemical burns after drinking margaritas at Chili’s Grill & Bar

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FOREST CITY, N.C. (WBTV) - Three customers at a North Carolina restaurant this week suffered chemical burns after drinking margaritas after a chemical degreaser was mistakenly used.

On Thursday, Oct. 28, health officials said three people at a Chili’s Grill & Bar in Forest City, North Carolina allegedly experienced chemical burns after drinking margaritas. Officials said they experienced discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths.

Health officials said they left notified the restaurant and left to get medical help.

Officials with the Foresthills Health District said two restaurant employees also experienced the same symptoms after trying the margaritas. Health officials immediately issued a suspension of the restaurant’s food service permit.

The condition of the five people was not immediately given.

Officials told staff to thoroughly wash, rinse, and sanitize affected food preparation areas and equipment.

The ForestHills Health District said during the early morning of Monday, Oct. 26, a restaurant employee got a granulated degreasing chemical from a contracted worker. The contracted worker was power washing the exterior and placed the chemical into an unlabeled container.

Health officials said the unlabeled container was taken inside the Chili’s and left in the bar area. On Thursday morning an employee preparing the bar for lunch found the unlabeled container believed it was sugar and used it to prepare the margarita station.

On Friday, Oct. 29, health officials said the Environmental Health Specialists reinstated the restaurant’s food service permit and they can safely resume operations.

Chili’s Grill & Bar released the following statement:

“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 Grill & Bar