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Teenager dies after taking part in social media ‘spicy chip’ challenge

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1 year ago

A teenager from the United States died of cardiac arrest after participating in a social media challenge that involved consuming an extremely spicy tortilla chip, as confirmed by an autopsy on Thursday.

Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old from Massachusetts, passed away after taking part in the “one chip challenge.”

This challenge featured a single chip produced by Paqui, dusted with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers, known for their extreme heat.

The “one chip challenge” has appeared in various forms over the years, with different peppers used each time.

The local chief medical examiner concluded that Harris died of cardiac arrest after consuming a significant amount of capsaicin, a chilli pepper extract, according to the autopsy report viewed by AFP.

The report also revealed that Harris had an enlarged heart, which may have contributed to his death.

The One Chip Challenge, which tragically claimed the life of 14-year-old Harris Wolobah, is a popular social media trend that started as a marketing campaign by the chip company Paqui in 2016.

The challenge involves consuming a single chip flavoured with the Carolina Reaper pepper, renowned as the hottest pepper in the world.

Participants record how long they can endure the intense heat without drinking or eating anything for relief after consuming the chip.

Following Harris’s death, Paqui decided to remove the product from store shelves. The chip, previously sold in a coffin-shaped box adorned with a red skull and labelled “extreme heat,” has been at the centre of numerous incidents of severe discomfort and health issues.

This challenge has led to other health issues, including three hospitalisations in California and seven illnesses in Minnesota, as reported by various media outlets.

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