Paqui, a Texas-based subsidiary of The Hershey Company, has voluntarily removed its “One Chip Challenge” from store shelves after a Massachusetts family alleged that the product was responsible for the death of their 14-year-old son, Harris Wolobah. An investigation into Wolobah’s death is ongoing.
The One Chip Challenge is an extra-spicy tortilla chip that comes packaged as a singular chip in packaging with coffins and skulls, and it’s gained a cult following on social. Each year, the chip maker unveils an updated formula for the challenge featuring ingredients made from a variety of peppers with incredibly high heat contents. This year’s chip contained capsaicin, a compound found naturally in chili peppers, which typically causes mouth and throat pain, but can also result in more serious health problems, including trouble breathing, esophageal damage, and heart problems.
A warning on Paqui’s website states that these particular chips should be kept out of the reach of children and are intended for adult consumption only. The company also stresses that people not consume the product if they are sensitive to spicy foods, allergic to peppers, nightshades, or capsaicin, or if they are pregnant or have any medical conditions.
In a statement, the company says it is deeply saddened by the death, and has seen an uptick in teenagers and others not heeding to the warnings. The company maintains that the product adheres to food safety standards but, also states that, out of an abundance of caution, they are working with our retailers to remove the product from shelves.”
While Paqui is working with retailers to remove the product from store shelves, other complaints have come in since Wolobah’s death. Earlier this month, a group middle school students in Massachusetts were reportedly in physical distress after consuming the product, though Holliston Public Schools Superintendent Susan Kustka says none of the students became seriously ill.
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