FOREST CITY, N.C. (WLOS) — Investigation underway after chemical exposure incident at Chili’s Grill & Bar in western North Carolina, officials confirmed.
The incident led to several people suffering chemical burns after consuming drinks made with a cleaning chemical mistakenly identified as sugar, according to a news release from the Foothills Health District. This happened at the restaurant’s Forest City location.
The Foothills Health District said preliminary information indicates that on Monday, Oct. 26, an employee received a “granular degreaser chemical” from a contract worker pressure washing the exterior of the restaurant and put it in an unlabeled container. The container was then brought into the restaurant and left in the bar, the public health agency said.
On Wednesday, October 28, an employee preparing the bar for lunch service found the container and used it to make margaritas, believing it to be sugar.
According to the release, three customers then ordered margaritas and “immediately felt discomfort” and had chemical burns in and around their mouths, before informing staff of the situation and leaving to seek medical attention. In response, two restaurant employees tasted the substance in the container and experienced similar symptoms, according to preliminary findings.
“I’m not sure how much chemical burns they had, but they went to urgent care and were treated there,” said Megan Rollins, spokeswoman for the Foothills Health District.
The Foothills Health District then began an investigation and immediately suspended the food service permit at Chili’s. Staff have been instructed to thoroughly wash and disinfect affected food preparation areas, as well as equipment and surfaces.
Levonne Baker, a regular customer at Chili’s, spoke to News13 about the incident.
“I was beyond surprised and almost scared,” Baker said.
He described the situation as something out of a horror movie.
“It’s like a Wes Craven story come to life. I mean, you don’t get margaritas that can burn your skin,” Baker said.
Baker says the incident also made him reconsider whether he would return to the restaurant’s bar.
“It 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 to go next? And not for an oil change,” he said.
An auto mechanic and urgent care service are located right next to the restaurant.
Thursday morning, environmental health specialists from the Foothills Health District completed their investigation. The Chili’s on-site dining permit was also reinstated after officials determined the restaurant met “all applicable food safety requirements.”
The restaurant chain was contacted for comment but had not responded by the time the report was published.
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Health officials say the incident highlights the importance of properly labeling chemicals in workplaces and at home to prevent accidental exposure.
Rollins added that by labeling everything, if something is still ingested, it can be easier to identify.
“Then you can call the poison control center, and they can tell you exactly how to neutralize that chemical,” Rollins said.
Anyone experiencing symptoms after suspected chemical exposure can contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for advice.
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