One Chip Challenge: Manufacturer withdraws product after teenager’s death

Warning about internet dare
14-year-old dies after one-chip challenge – manufacturer reacts

In the USA, a teenager died after the so-called One Chip Challenge. The participants eat an extremely spicy tortilla chip. The manufacturer then bans the product from the shelves. In Germany there are also warnings about the test of courage.

A single tortilla chip was the last thing Harris, 14, of Worcester, Massachusetts, ate before his death. On September 1st, his mother had to pick him up from school because the tenth grader complained of severe stomach pain. After she brought him home, the boy fainted and died shortly afterwards in a hospital (star reported). Although the results of the autopsy are still pending, it is clear to the woman: the boy died as a result of the so-called one-chip challenge. The participants eat an extremely spicy “Paqui-Chip” chip. This is seasoned with Carolina Reaper, said to be the hottest chili variety in the world. A number of celebrities such as Brooklyn Beckham and Toni Hawk have also taken part in the Internet challenge in the past.

The chip costs about $10 and comes individually wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box. Among other things, this warns about the spiciness and expressly states that it is only intended for adults and should be kept out of the reach of children.

Death after One Chip Challenge

However, since these warnings are apparently not being heeded, the manufacturer is now pulling the ripcord: “For this reason, we are actively working with our retailers to remove the product from the shelves,” it says on Paqui’s website. “Even if the product continues to meet food safety standards – out of pure caution.”

But it’s not just in the USA that people are worried about the Internet trend. At the end of August, there was a large-scale medical operation involving fifth-grade students in Euskirchen near Cologne. Several kids had to be treated for stomach pain, and some were given first aid for skin and respiratory tract irritations. Two nine and eleven year old students had previously stolen the chips from a nearby kiosk.

BfR warns against tests of courage with spicy foods

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is now also warning against daring people with spicy chips or other extremely spicy foods. Excessive consumption of spicy foods can lead to “serious health problems”. “In the past, cases have repeatedly been reported in which undesirable effects such as irritation of the mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting and high blood pressure were observed,” says the institute. Children in particular reacted sensitively to hot chili products. Serious health impairments are possible, which can be life-threatening under certain circumstances.” Consumption has already led to emergency medical calls in some cases, according to the BfR.

According to the institute, the sharp, burning taste is caused by ingredients in the chili from the group of so-called capsaicinoids. This also includes the spicy substance capsaicin, which is contained in the Carolina Reaper. The substances are produced by numerous types of peppers – which also include the chili – in order to prevent predators from eating the fruits. The institute assumes that an adult can consume a maximum of five milligrams of capsaicin per kilogram of body weight without any problems. The BfR recommends labeling products with contents of more than 100 milligrams of capsaicin per kilogram of food and providing the packaging with child-resistant closures.

Watch the video: Brooklyn Beckham is in tears. But the reason is not heartbreak. Rather, like many other celebrities, the 23-year-old is taking part in the “One Chip Challenge”. But the viral trend is not only fun, it can also be quite dangerous.

Sources: Associated Press, paqui.com“New York Times“, DPA.