Tragic Loss: 14-Year-Old Boy Passes Away After Participating in Spicy Chip Social Media Challenge

A tragic incident unfolded in Massachusetts when a teenager lost his life after taking part in a social media challenge involving an extremely spicy chip. The family of the deceased has confirmed the unfortunate news.

In an interview with The New York Times, Lois Wolobah shared that she received a call from her son’s school in Worcester, informing her that he was feeling unwell and needed to go home.

When Lois arrived at the nurse’s office, she found her 14-year-old son, Harris, clutching his stomach in pain. Harris revealed that he had consumed a Paqui tortilla chip as part of the brand’s “One Chip Challenge,” which incorporates two of the hottest peppers in the world.

After being taken home, Harris reportedly fainted approximately two hours later. He was rushed to the hospital, where he tragically passed away, according to his mother.

Amos Wolobah, Harris’ father, spoke to CBS News’ WBZ and mentioned that his son did not have any known preexisting conditions. He was a healthy basketball player with no allergies, as revealed by the family.

While the exact cause of Harris’ death remains unclear, the family believes that the Paqui tortilla chip might have played a role. However, the Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s office stated that the cause of death will not be determined for several weeks. In response to the incident, Paqui, a brand based in Austin, Texas, announced that they are working to remove the product from store shelves.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Harris’ relatives to cover funeral expenses. The post describes Harris as an intelligent, quirky, and talented young man who loved playing video games and basketball.

A spokesperson from Paqui expressed their condolences to the family and refrained from making further comments. Worcester Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez described Harris as a “rising star” in a statement and mentioned that counseling and grief support are being offered to staff and students.

The “One Chip Challenge” dared individuals to eat a single spicy chip and refrain from drinking or eating anything for as long as possible before sharing the experience on social media. The packaging clearly stated that the chip is meant for adults and should be avoided by pregnant women, those sensitive to spicy foods, individuals with food allergies, and those with underlying health conditions.

Paqui’s website, updated after the incident, emphasizes that the challenge is only intended for healthy adults. They have taken steps to collaborate with retailers in removing the product from shelves and are offering refunds.

Over the years, various versions of Paqui’s challenge have emerged, with several instances of school-aged children being hospitalized after consuming the chip.