North Carolina Chili’s customers order three margaritas and suffer chemical burns. Then they realize what the bartender used instead of sugar
Health hazard.
A typical lunch service turned into a serious health crisis at a Chili’s in Forest City, North Carolina, when three customers suffered chemical burns after drinking margaritas. According to the New York Post, the incident occurred on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
An employee preparing the bar for the day found an unlabeled container and incorrectly assumed the white powder inside was a standard ingredient for the cocktails. It turns out the container actually held a granulated degreaser that had been brought into the building just two days earlier. The origin of the chemical traces back to Monday, October 26, when a contracted worker was power-washing the exterior of the building.
An employee at the restaurant received the cleaning agent from the contractor and placed it into an unlabeled container. This container was then brought inside and left in the bar area. When the bar staff went to prepare drinks on Wednesday, the lack of a proper label caused someone to mistake the degreaser for an ingredient often used in margarita preparation, like sugar.
The three customers who ordered the drinks felt the effects right away
They reported that they “immediately experienced discomfort” and suffered chemical burns in and around their mouths. These patrons acted quickly, alerting the staff to the issue before heading out to seek medical attention. The situation escalated further when two employees at the restaurant decided to taste the mystery substance themselves to see what was wrong. They ended up developing similar symptoms.
Foothills Health District spokesperson Megan Rollins spoke about the medical response to the incident. “I’m not sure what degree of chemical burns they had, but they went to urgent care and were treated there,” Rollins said. Following the reports of injuries, the local health agency launched an investigation into the restaurant.
They made the decision to immediately temporarily suspend the food service permit for that specific Chili’s outlet in Forest City, North Carolina. Staff members were ordered to thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas, equipment, and surfaces to ensure no traces of the chemical remained.
The agency also reminded everyone about the critical nature of workplace safety standards
“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,” Foothills Health District Director Jason Masters said.
According to WLOS, Rollins added that clear labeling is vital because it helps people identify substances quickly if an accident occurs. She said that if someone knew exactly what they had ingested, they could contact Poison Control and get specific instructions on how to neutralize the chemical.
Regular customers of the Forest City Chili’s are understandably shaken by the news. Levonne Baker, who frequents the restaurant, expressed his shock when he heard about the mix-up. “I was beyond surprised and almost scared,” Baker said. He even compared the ordeal to something out of a horror movie.
“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. He was referring to the fact that both a mechanic and an urgent care facility are located right next to the restaurant.
The situation took another turn the next morning
Environmental health specialists completed their investigation and determined that the restaurant met “all applicable food safety requirements.” Because of this, the food service permit was reinstated, allowing the Chili’s outlet to resume normal operations.
A spokesperson for Chili’s released a statement regarding the event. “We are aware of an incident isolated to a single 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 further injuries. We have thoroughly investigated the circumstances and addressed the issues specific to this location. The health and wellbeing of our guests and Team Members remain our top priority,” they said.
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