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Chili’s permit suspended after degreaser mistaken for sugar

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

U.S. health officials suspended the food-service permit of the Chili’s in Forest City, North Carolina after a chemical mix-up.
A contractor left an unlabeled granulated degreaser, which staff mistook for sugar and used in margaritas.
Three customers and two employees suffered immediate mouth burns after drinking the margaritas on Oct. 28 and sought urgent-care treatment.
The permit was reinstated on Oct. 29 after the district confirmed food-safety compliance.

Summary

Environmental Health Specialists inspected Chili’s on Oct. 29 and verified contaminated equipment was fully sanitized.
The power-washing contractor supplied the granulated degreaser, indicating the chemical originated outside the restaurant’s supply chain.
Foothills Health District ordered a complete bar-area sanitation before reinstating Chili’s food-service permit.
The incident prompted the district to review its contractor-oversight policies for food-service establishments.
The district’s Oct. 29 investigation report omitted the chemical’s exact composition for safety reasons.

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Health Officials Suspend Permit

U.S. health officials suspended the food-service permit of the Chili’s in Forest City, North Carolina after a chemical mix-up.
A contractor left an unlabeled granulated degreaser, which staff mistook for sugar and used in margaritas.
Three customers and two employees suffered immediate mouth burns after drinking the margaritas on Oct. 28 and sought urgent-care treatment.
The permit was reinstated on Oct. 29 after the district confirmed food-safety compliance.

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