U.S.ASK BBN
Chili's customers suffer chemical burns after margarita mix-up
A contractor power-washing the restaurant reportedly handed over the chemical two days earlier; the health permit was suspended and later reinstated, and nobody checked the sugar.
At a glance
- First reported by Fox News: “Chili's customers suffer chemical burns after dangerous margarita mix-up”, with reporting from WCTI12, WRAL and Jammin 99 FM.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 2:14 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Fox NewsChili's customers suffer chemical burns after dangerous margarita mix-up
- WCTI12Cleaning chemical mistakenly used in margaritas at Forest City Chili’s October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
- WRALThree NC Chili's customers treated for chemical burns after margarita mixed-up :: WRAL.com October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
- Jammin 99 FMChili’s customers suffer chemical burns after dangerous margarita mix-up October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThree customers and two employees had symptoms, including chemical burns in and around their mouths.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWRAL reports an employee used a granulated degreasing chemical in the margaritas because they thought it was sugar.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHow do you mistake degreaser for sugar?

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe health district says the container was unlabeled and was brought inside and left in the bar area.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorPreliminary findings say a contractor power-washing the outside handed it over about two days before.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo no label, and the label was a guess. It was a guess all the way down to the glass.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIs the restaurant still open? Can I still get my chips and queso?

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSpoken like a man with a plan.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe permit was suspended, then reinstated. So that's the one step where somebody actually checked something.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe health director says it shows the importance of proper labeling. I'm sticking to beer.
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 30, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months




