London Nightclub Fined £120k for Serving Caustic Soda with Tequila Shots

Four Women Hospitalized after Ingesting the Corrosive Cleaning Chemical Mistaken for Salt

Tiger Tiger nightclub in London has been fined £120,000 for serving caustic soda instead of salt with tequila shots, leading to four women being hospitalized.
The incident occurred on December 7, 2021, when a bartender mistakenly scooped caustic soda from a large white container in an unlit area behind the bar, believing it to be salt.
The women immediately became unwell after ingesting the substance, and emergency services were called. The bartender also tasted the substance, which burnt his mouth and tongue.
Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a strong alkaline with corrosive properties, often used as a drain cleaner. It can cause chemical burns and potentially blindness if it comes into contact with eyes.
The nightclub pleaded guilty to four charges under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and the fine is intended to act as a warning to all businesses to maintain high levels of health and safety.