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Three customers’ mouths were burned after an employee at a Chili’s in North Carolina accidentally used granular skim detergent for margaritas instead of sugar. Following the investigation, the restaurant has had its food service license reinstated.
North Carolina A customer at a Chili’s restaurant suffered a burning mouth after drinking a margarita, but the tequila wasn’t the cause.
According to Foothills Health District, North Carolina, three customers at a Chili’s restaurant in Forest City suffered chemical burns to their mouths and surrounding areas shortly after drinking margaritas on October 28.
The press release said these customers ordered drinks shortly after the restaurant opened for the day and informed staff before leaving for medical treatment.
The incident, which resulted in three Chili’s patrons receiving chemical burns, was discovered after authorities launched an investigation and suspended the restaurant’s food service license.
This was caused by employees mistaking granular chemical detergent for sugar.
“This incident highlights the importance of proper labeling, storage and handling of chemicals in food service facilities,” Jason Masters, director of the Foothills Health District, said in a statement.
Chili’s said in a statement to USA TODAY that it was aware of an “isolated incident.”
“Our teams took immediate action to provide assistance to those affected and prevent further harm. We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident as the health and well-being of our customers and team members is always our top priority,” the statement said.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Foothills Health District, on October 26, a contractor cleaning the restaurant’s exterior poured a granular degreaser into an unlabeled container and gave it to a restaurant employee, who brought the container into the restaurant and left it in the bar area.
Two days later, “an employee noticed the unlabeled container while preparing lunch, mistook it for sugar and used the chemicals in it to make a margarita,” according to the release.
After drinking the margarita, customers “immediately felt discomfort in their mouth and surrounding areas, as well as symptoms of chemical irritation.” He immediately informed the restaurant staff and went to see a doctor. Later, two restaurant workers who tasted the granular chemical developed similar symptoms.
By October 29, officials had completed the investigation and reinstated the restaurant’s food service license after “complying with all applicable food safety requirements and safely resuming operations.”
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Three customers immediately developed symptoms of chemical irritation in their mouths and the surrounding area after drinking the margaritas, and went to a doctor for medical treatment after notifying staff. Additionally, two employees also experienced similar discomfort after tasting it.
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The investigation revealed that the employee mistook granular skim detergent for sugar and used it to make margaritas. The chemical was originally put into unlabeled containers by a contractor and misused.
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The health unit suspended its food service license after launching an investigation, then reissued the license on October 29 after confirming that the restaurant met all applicable food safety requirements and could safely resume operations.
