October 30, 2026, 12:16 p.m. ET
Customers at Chili’s in North Carolina experienced burning mouths after drinking margaritas, and it wasn’t because of the tequila.
On Oct. 28, three customers at a Chili’s restaurant in Forest City, North Carolina, suffered chemical burns in and around their mouths immediately after drinking margaritas, the Foothills Health District said in a statement.
The customers, who ordered the drinks shortly after the restaurant opened, informed staff of the incident before leaving to seek medical attention, the statement said.
After launching an investigation and suspending the restaurant’s restaurant license, authorities discovered that the incident apparently stemmed from a mixture of sugar and a cleaning chemical.
“This incident highlights the importance of proper labeling, storage and handling of chemicals in food service establishments,” Jason Masters, health director for the Foothills Health District, said in a statement.
Chili’s said in a statement to USA TODAY that it was aware of this “isolated incident.”
“Our team took immediate action to support those affected and prevent further injury,” the statement said. “We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, as the health and well-being of our guests and team members remains our top priority.”
Chili worker mixed sugar and cleaning chemicals
Officials believe the incident that caused chemical burns to three Chili’s customers was caused by a mixture of sugar and a granular chemical.
On Oct. 26, a contract worker who was pressure washing the exterior of the restaurant placed a granular degreaser chemical in an unlabeled container and gave it to a restaurant employee. The employee brought the container inside the restaurant and left it in the bar, according to preliminary findings from the Foothills Health District.
Two days later, “an employee preparing the bar for lunch service discovered the unlabeled container and, believing it contained sugar, used the chemical to prepare the margarita station,” according to a statement.
After the customers drank their margaritas and “immediately felt discomfort and chemical burns in and around their mouths,” they informed restaurant staff and left to seek medical attention. Then, two restaurant employees also tasted the substance and experienced similar symptoms.
Megan Rollins, public information officer for the Foothills Health District, told USA TODAY that officials had no updates on the condition of customers or employees who consumed the chemical.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a chemical burn is damage to your body’s tissues caused by a hard or corrosive substance. They vary in severity, and severe chemical burns can cause permanent tissue damage, scarring, or death.
Chili’s Restaurant’s Dining License Temporarily Suspended After Incident
After authorities were notified of the incident, the Foothills Health District began an investigation and suspended the restaurant’s restaurant permit, according to the release.
They also directed staff to “thoroughly wash, rinse and disinfect affected food preparation areas, equipment and surfaces.”
By Oct. 29, officials had finalized the investigation and reinstated the restaurant’s restaurant permit “after determining that the establishment met all applicable food safety requirements and could safely resume operations.”
Melina Khan is a national trends reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
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