Tiger Tiger fined £120,000 for serving caustic soda with tequila shot

A bar and nightclub in London’s West End has been fined £120,000 after serving customers caustic soda instead of salt with tequila shots.

Four people were hospitalised after ingesting the cleaning product at Tiger Tiger in Haymarket on 7 December 2021.

According to Westminster City Council, the group ordered four tequila shots and the bartender realised there was no salt to accompany the drinks.

He went to an unlit area behind the bar and used a disposable plastic cup to scoop what he believed was salt from a large white container on a shelf.

The customers then poured the white substance on the back of their hands, licked it, and drank the shot.

They immediately became unwell, and the barman realised something was wrong when he tasted the substance himself and burnt his mouth and tongue.

Police officers found a container with a caustic soda label on it and found the white substance had a PH level of 13 – a strong alkaline.

Tiger Tiger pleaded guilty to four charges under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work act at Westminster Magistrates Court on 14 December.

Cllr Aicha Less, deputy leader and cabinet member for communities, public protection, and licensing, said: “The shocking details of this case show a lack of attention and proper process for handling toxic cleaning chemicals. This incident shows that overlooking basic safety measures can have the most serious consequences.

“We hope the significant fine awarded in court acts to all businesses as a warning, preventing this from ever happening again.

“Westminster City Council’s Health and Safety Team will continue to work with all businesses in the city to make sure the highest levels of health and safety are consistently maintained, and staff are educated in safe practice.”

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