WORCESTER, Massachusetts: The manufacturer of a highly spicy tortilla chip announced on September 7th that it is taking steps to remove the product from stores as authorities in Massachusetts investigate the death of a teenager whose family believes the chip was a contributing factor. The cause of Harris Wolobah’s death on September 1st has not yet been determined, and an autopsy is pending. Nevertheless, the 14-year-old’s family has stated that the “One Chip Challenge”, which has gained popularity as a dare on social media, played a role in his death.
In response to this tragedy, Paqui, the Texas-based maker of the chip, has asked retailers to stop selling the individually wrapped chips. 7-Eleven has already complied with this request. A vigil for Wolobah was planned to take place on Friday in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The One Chip Challenge chip sells for approximately US$10 (RM46) and is packaged in a sealed foil pouch inside a coffin-shaped cardboard box. The packaging explicitly states that the chip is meant for adults, comes with intense heat and pain, and should be kept away from children.
Paqui, a subsidiary of The Hershey Company, expressed deep sorrow over Wolobah’s death in a statement on its website. The company also acknowledged that it has noticed an increase in teenagers and others ignoring the warning labels on the product. As a result, they are proactively working with retailers to remove the chip from shelves, despite it adhering to food safety standards.
Authorities in Massachusetts have responded to the situation by cautioning parents about the challenge’s risks, which has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok. Many people, including children, have posted videos of themselves unboxing the chips, consuming them, and then reacting to the spiciness. Some videos depict individuals gagging, coughing, and desperately needing water.
“We urge parents to discuss this with their children and advise them not to partake in this activity,” stated Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early on “X”, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He further revealed that other states have seen hospitalizations of teenagers due to the chip challenge.
Similar reports have emerged from across the United States, detailing incidents where participants fell ill after taking part in the challenge. For example, three students from a high school in California were sent to the hospital, and paramedics were called to a Minnesota school after seven students became sick from the chip. Doctors have warned that the chips can cause symptoms ranging from mild burning or tingling in the mouth to more severe effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
According to Dr. Peter Chai, an associate professor of emergency medicine and medical toxicology, consuming chips with a high concentration of capsaicin, the chemical responsible for their spiciness, could potentially be fatal. However, the extent of danger depends on how much capsaicin an individual is exposed to. High doses could lead to fatal dysrhythmia or irreversible heart damage.
On Friday afternoon, the police in Worcester responded to a call from Wolobah’s house and found him unresponsive and not breathing. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Relatives and friends of Wolobah are convinced that the chips caused his death and are now advocating for the chips to be banned from stores.
Douglas Hill, the organizer of the basketball league in which Wolobah played, described the young teen as healthy and quiet and shared that the focus should be on preventing children from engaging in potentially harmful challenges. To honor Wolobah, Douglas arranged a basketball event on Saturday.
It is hardly surprising why individuals would attempt the One Chip Challenge. In addition to its intriguing name, the package presents the challenge rules, which encourage consumers to eat the entire chip, wait as long as possible before consuming other foods or liquids, and share their reactions on social media. The packaging also includes a warning: individuals who are sensitive to spicy foods, allergic to peppers or capsaicin, are pregnant, or have particular medical conditions should abstain from eating the chip. It further advises anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, fainting, or prolonged nausea to seek medical assistance and reminds consumers to wash their hands after handling the chip.
– AP
Credit: The Star : News Feed
