Forest City -- October 29. 2026: An unlabeled container of industrial degreaser mistakenly identified as margarita salt led to chemical burns for three customers and two employees at the Forest City Chili’s Grill & Bar, according to preliminary investigative findings from the Foothills Health District first reported by WLOS News 13.
The exposure occurred after a restaurant worker received a granulated degreasing agent on Monday, October 26, from an independent contractor power-washing the building's exterior. According to the health district's release obtained by WLOS, the chemical was poured into an unmarked container, brought inside the restaurant, and left in the bar area.
Two days later, on Wednesday, October 28, a staff member preparing the bar for the lunch shift found the container and used the granules to rim glasses or prepare drinks, believing the substance to be standard salt or sugar.
Three patrons subsequently ordered margaritas and immediately suffered chemical burns inside and around their mouths upon sipping the contaminated beverages. The customers alerted management and left the restaurant to seek immediate emergency medical care.
Following the incident, two Chili's employees tasted the residue in the container to determine what had happened and developed similar burn symptoms, health officials reported.
Environmental Health Specialists with the Foothills Health District launched an immediate investigation Wednesday, ordering an emergency suspension of the restaurant's food service permit. Health officials required staff to thoroughly discard contaminated items, wash and sanitize all bar surfaces and prep tools, and correct storage protocol violations.
Following an on-site re-inspection Thursday morning, October 29, health inspectors confirmed the facility had completed all mandated corrective measures and met state food safety standards, allowing the operating permit to be reinstated.