Boy, 10, reports odd-tasting eatery soda

A soda from a Merrick fast food restaurant that a child said had a bleach taste to it, was determined to be nonhazardous, Nassau police said Friday evening.

The 10-year-old boy was taken to a local hospital for evaluation by his parents after he tasted the drink from the Taco Bell at 1709 Merrick Rd. about 3:30 p.m., police said. The boy was released from the hospital with no apparent injury.

The boy's grandfather also sampled the drink after the child's complaint, and said it tasted like chlorine to him, police said.

The liquid was to be analyzed further and the health department was called to inspect the Taco Bell, police said.