Youth Death Potentially Linked to Consumption of Hot Pepper Product, Part of Social Media Challenge

Paqui, an Austin, Texas-based chip company is pulling its One Chip Challenge from the store shelves after the death of a 14-year old Massachusetts boy which may be related to eating the chip. The company's product has promoted its "One Chip Challenge" on social media.  According to the challenge, a person would see how long they can wait before having something to drink after eating a chip.

The chip is seasoned "with Carolina Reaper Peppers roughly 1.7 million Scoville Units and the Naga Viper Pepper at roughly 1.4 million Scoville Units, a unit used to measure the heat of peppers. A jalapeño registers between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville Units, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology."

.The product is said to be made for adults, but of course children are going to eat this.  According to one expert, "....if saliva-laden capsaicin gets into the lungs, it can cause pneumonitis — an inflammation that can be serious, especially for people with preexisting conditions". (Yahoo)

ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/paqui-pulls-chip-challenge-shelves/story?id=103009487
Paqui pulls 'One Chip Challenge' from shelves as teen's death investigated
The removal comes after a teen's death who participated in the challenge.
ByMason Leib via logo

September 7, 2023, 8:34 PM

Paqui, an Austin, Texas-based chip company famous for its viral Paqui "One Chip Challenge" product, is working with retailers to pull the tortilla chip from shelves, the company announced on its website.

The decision to remove the chip comes after a 14-year-old -- Harris Wolobah -- died in Massachusetts on Sept. 1, which his family believes is related to the Paqui "One Chip Challenge," according to WCVB-TV, an ABC News affiliate.

Worcester Police confirmed Wolobah's death is under investigation and that he died on the same day that he participated in the Paqui "One Chip Challenge."

"The Paqui One Chip Challenge is intended for adults only, with clear and prominent labeling highlighting the chip is not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or who has food allergies, is pregnant or has underlying health conditions," the statement from Paqui read.

Paqui was selling single chip packages, and the "One Chip Challenge" involves seeing how long a person can go without eating or drinking after eating the hot pepper chip. The challenge went viral online and many videos show people as they attempt to eat the chip.

According to Paqui's frequently asked question section on their website, the chip is seasoned with Carolina Reaper Peppers and Naga Viper Pepper. The site also said the peppers are "among the hottest peppers currently available," with Carolina Reaper Peppers roughly 1.7 million Scoville Units and the Naga Viper Pepper at roughly 1.4 million Scoville Units, a unit used to measure the heat of peppers. A jalapeño registers between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville Units, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Paqui explained they were pulling the chip since they had seen consumers not paying attention to the recommendations on the label.

"We have seen an increase in teens and other individuals not heeding these warnings. As a result, while the product continues to adhere to food safety standards, out of an abundance of caution, we are actively working with our retailers to remove the product from shelves," the company's statement continued.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday to note the dangers of the chip.

"Medical professionals have said the tortilla chip, which is made from two of the spiciest chili peppers in the world, can cause very serious and dangerous side effects," read Early Jr.'s post.