KOMO 4 News (Seattle) reports that Ferndale, Wash., police are investigating two separate incidents at a local Dairy Queen in which two customers became violently sick after drinking malts.
Investigators said two customers came in separately and ordered malts. Within the first few sips, both felt burning of the mouth and tongue area, and one was hospitalized. The malt mix is being tested for toxic substances, such as powder bleach or a similar cleaning agent, which was likely intentionally added to the mix, police said.
The Bellingham Herald says that after examining the malt dispenser, they saw it was contaminated and send the malt and all the store's cleansers to a Washington State Patrol crime lab for testing. Police believe an employee was most likely responsible, since that person would be the only one with access to the malt. Updated March 5.
