The tortilla chip company that dared consumers to eat a single chip made with two of the hottest peppers in the world is voluntarily removing the product from retail shelves, according to a statement released on Thursday. The decision comes after the tragic death of a teenager who reportedly died after consuming the chip.
In a statement on its website, the company, a subsidiary of the Hershey Company, emphasized that the Paqui One Chip Challenge is intended for adults only and is clearly labeled as such. However, the company expressed concern over an increasing number of teens and other individuals ignoring these warnings.
Out of an abundance of caution, the company is working with retailers to remove the product from shelves. Additionally, Paqui has announced that it will provide refunds for customers who purchased the product, which was priced at approximately $9.99 for a single serving. Paqui chips are manufactured by Amplify Snack Brands, a company acquired by Hershey in 2017 for around $1.6 billion.
The chip, housed in a coffin-shaped box, challenged customers to endure as long as possible before consuming any food or drink and encouraged them to share their reactions on social media. Many participants recorded videos of themselves desperately reaching for water, milk, or ice cream to quell the extreme heat of the chip.
The chip responsible for the challenge was made with the Carolina Reaper and the Naga Viper peppers, which are among the hottest peppers in the world. The Carolina Reaper registers more than two million Scoville heat units, while the Naga Viper measures just under 1.4 million Scoville units. In comparison, jalapeño peppers typically rate between 2,000 and 8,000 units on the Scoville scale.
Tragically, the chip was one of the last things consumed by 14-year-old Harris Wolobah before his untimely death. According to his family, he experienced severe stomach pains after eating the chip and was later rushed to the hospital, where he passed away.
Credit…via GoFundMe
The exact cause of Harris’s death is currently unknown. However, his mother believes the chip played a role. The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner stated that autopsy results may take up to 12 weeks to be available.
In an interview, Harris’s mother expressed her desire for parents to be aware of the potential dangers posed by such products. Several individuals who attempted the challenge reported experiencing severe stomachaches afterward.
Paqui spokeswoman Kim Metcalfe conveyed the company’s deep sadness and extended condolences to Harris’s family. The company emphasized that the removal of the chip from shelves is a voluntary retrieval and not a recall.
The marketing materials for the challenge previously encouraged participants to test their endurance and posted rankings based on how long they could withstand the chip’s effects without drinking anything. However, these references have been removed from the website. Only the company’s new statement, the original warning label, and a shortened FAQ remain on the challenge’s website.
The chip’s packaging prominently advised keeping it away from children and cautioned individuals who are pregnant, have medical conditions, or are sensitive or allergic to spicy foods, peppers, nightshade plants, or capsaicin (the compound responsible for chili peppers’ heat and irritation) to avoid consuming the chip.
The extent of sales for the “One Chip Challenge” package since its August release is unclear. However, a local CBS affiliate in Boston reported finding the chip at a grocery store near Harris’s school.
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