Makers of the ultra-hot “One Chip Challenge” have recalled the chip following the death of a teen who died after consuming one.
On Thursday, Paqui made the decision to pull the single tortilla chip from all retailers. The spicy chip is sold in a coffin-shaped box and is made using the Carolina Reaper Pepper and Scorpion Pepper, one of the world’s hottest peppers. Food Champs lists scratchy throats and burning tongues as several effects of eating the Scorpion. However, in more intense cases, the pepper can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and even difficulty breathing. With such dangerous side effects, blending the Scorpion with the Carolina Reaper, the world’s hottest pepper, may have drastic consequences. Paqui only offered these snacks in single servings for this reason but maintains that they included warnings against serving them to young children and those with preexisting medical issues.
“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 wrote in a statement. They are also offering refunds to buyers.
The move comes days after 14-year-old Harris Wolobah of Worcester, Massachusetts, ate Paqui’s “One Chip Challenge” and died shortly after. On Friday, he consumed the chip at school and complained of a stomach ache. Once he was taken home by his parents, he fainted and was rushed to the hospital, where he died. His parents slammed the school for calling them instead of having him transported to the hospital when he initially became ill. An official cause of death has not been revealed.
