14-year-old died of heart attack after “one chip challenge”

Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old with a congenital heart defect, died of a heart attack after consuming an extremely spicy tortilla chip as part of Paqui’s “One Chip Challenge.” This challenge involves eating a single chip seasoned with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers, which are among the hottest peppers in the world. The chief medical examiner in Massachusetts confirmed that Wolobah’s death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by the high capsaicin concentration in the chip. In response, Paqui voluntarily pulled the product from shelves in September 2023. The challenge, originally intended for adults and those without health issues, had been misused by teens and others ignoring the warnings. Consequently, Paqui discontinued the product and offered refunds for uneaten chips from 2023.

Source: CNN