byConnor Bennett
Published: Oct 30, 2026, 14:01
Unsplash: commonboxturtle
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Customers at a Chili’s in North Carolina were served cleaning chemicals as part of their usual margaritas, leaving three people with burns.
If you order a cocktail at a bar or restaurant and aren’t too familiar with it, you might ask the servers what’s inside it. You should never expect cleaning chemicals to play a part in that recipe, however.
Yet, for a group of people in North Carolina, that was the case. As per Foothills Health District and ABC News 13, customers suffered chemical burns after bar staff mistook a granulated degreaser for sugar.
The chemical, which was in an unlabeled container, was served up in the margaritas. After customers complained, two members of staff also tasted it, and suffered with a similar feeling in their throats.
Chili’s regulars “nervous” about returning after drinks mishap
One regular of the restaurant, Levonne Baker, told ABC News 13 that they were “beyond surprised and almost scared” about the incident. Baker is also unsure if he’ll return to drinking there.
“It has made me a little nervous about going back to the bar because it’s like, what’s in there next?” he added.
The health district said it had concluded an investigation into the incident, allowing the Chili’s to reopen after a short suspension of their food service permit. “Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the chemical is encouraged to seek medical attention,” they also noted.
An investigation is underway after a chemical exposure incident at a Chili’s Grill & Bar in western North Carolina, officials confirmed.
Click here to read more: https://t.co/eIeCA7CfVWpic.twitter.com/UrkuEAAv88— WLOS (@WLOS_13) October 30, 2026
Similarly, over in Oregon, parents have sued a school and school district for almost $1 million after students were served pretzels seasoned with crushed oven cleaner.
The Tigard-Tualatin School District initially determined that “human error” had led to the pretzels being topped with Alto-Shaam, but one family flagged that their child had felt “burning” in his mouth and throat.
