If a server uses a copper pitcher to serve margaritas and several guests get sick,
the most likely cause of the illness is What?
A. The fruit and copper caused a biological reaction resulting in pathogenic illness.
B. The server failed to provide food as an alternative to reduce the effects of the alcohol.
C. The acidity of the beverage caused the copper to leach, resulting in chemical contamination.
D. The mixture of fruit and alcohol caused the guests to become intoxicated and have severe headaches.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: C. The acidity of the beverage caused the copper to leach, resulting in chemical contamination.
Explanation:
Copper pitchers are often admired for their aesthetic and traditional appeal, but their use in serving acidic beverages like margaritas can pose serious health risks. Margaritas typically contain lime or lemon juice, which are highly acidic. When such acidic liquids come into contact with unlined copper containers, a chemical reaction can occur, causing the copper to leach into the beverage.
Copper is a heavy metal, and while it is essential in trace amounts for human health, excessive ingestion can be toxic. The leaching of copper into an acidic beverage can lead to chemical contamination rather than a biological or pathogenic illness. The symptoms of acute copper poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea—symptoms that match what might be observed in guests who consumed margaritas served from an unlined copper pitcher.
Regulatory bodies like the U.S. FDA and state health departments warn against using copper containers for acidic foods and beverages unless the interior is properly lined with a non-reactive metal, such as stainless steel or tin. This lining prevents direct contact between the acidic liquid and the copper surface, thus averting the risk of contamination.
The other answer choices do not accurately reflect the cause of the illness:
- A refers to a “biological reaction” which is incorrect—this is a chemical, not a biological issue.
- B is unrelated to the cause of illness; providing food does not prevent copper poisoning.
- D confuses intoxication with poisoning. Alcohol and fruit may contribute to intoxication or hangovers, but not the kind of acute illness described.
Thus, the most likely cause of the illness is chemical contamination from copper leaching due to the drink’s acidity.
