Chemical Degreaser Served in Drinks at North Carolina Restaurant Leaves Five Injured

Five people suffered chemical burns at a North Carolina restaurant after an unlabeled industrial cleaning agent was mistakenly substituted for sugar on the rims of margarita glasses, local health and emergency officials reported.

The incident occurred when kitchen personnel inadvertently utilized a white, granulated commercial degreaser that was stored in the food preparation area. Three patrons and two restaurant employees sustained chemical injuries to their lips, mouths, and throats after consuming or serving the contaminated drinks.

Emergency medical personnel arrived on scene to evaluate the victims, who reported acute burning sensations immediately upon contacting the substance. All five individuals were subsequently transported to a nearby urgent care facility for emergency medical evaluation and specialized treatment.

County health inspectors launched an immediate safety review of the establishment to determine how the chemical entered the beverage preparation area. Preliminary findings indicate the high-strength degreaser had been transferred into an unmarked container, violating standard commercial food safety regulations regarding hazardous materials.

The restaurant management stated that all non-compliant chemical containers were immediately removed from the premises following the event. Local health authorities are overseeing corrective actions, including mandatory staff retraining on proper chemical storage, container labeling, and hazard communication procedures.