Though the results of the autopsy are pending, a family in Massachusetts alleges that their teenager died last week from complications after participating in the viral Paqui 'one chip' challenge and are calling for it to be banned.
Harris Wolobah's mother confirmed to NBC10 Boston that the family believes the cause of death was the chip, which is packaged in a coffin-shaped box and has a warning attached urging those who have difficulty breathing, faint or have extended nausea after eating the chip to seek medical care.
The challenge on social media involves eating the chip and then avoiding eating or drinking anything afterward for as long as possible - for maximum burn. But the challenge, which was supposed to be light-hearted, has people vomiting profusely, fainting, and going to the hospital after.
The chip is layered with a ton of spicy flavorings, burning the mouth and burning on the way down - which seems like a 'fun' challenge to kids (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)The teen, Harris, was a sophomore at Doherty Memorial High School, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez said in a statement on Sunday, calling him "a rising star." His mother, Lois Walobah, says she was called to the school to pick up her son after a classmate had given him the chip. The school nurse said he had a stomachache after eating it.
Around 4.30pm that afternoon, one of the boy's brothers shouted that Harris had fainted. He was taken to the hospital immediately, where he was pronounced dead. The mother says that the child should have been sent to a hospital after eating the chip, instead of going home, and wants to raise awareness about the chips and the challenge.
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Worcester Public Schools is offering grief counseling and social-emotional support for students and staff. "It is with a heavy heart I share that we lost a rising star, Harris Wolobah, who was a sophomore scholar at Doherty Memorial High School. As a mother and educator, I cannot imagine how hard this is on his family, friends and teachers," Monarrez said in her statement Sunday. "My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him."
Harris was being remembered Monday as a great kid who loved his family and basketball. One of his coaches, Douglas Hill, said he was stunned to learn one of his star players had died. “The first thing was shock, like when they said the name, I had to literally ask a hundred times, like if this was him,” Hill said.
Doherty Memorial High School is throwing a memorial for the teen (NBC Boston)"Very quiet kid when you first meet him not a child of many words, smiled, very positive. In a million years, you never would’ve imagined any kid nevertheless, Harris, so it was definitely difficult," the coach continued.
There will be a basketball workout in Harris' honor this Saturday at St. Bernard's on Lincoln Street in Worcester. “Wherever he was going he was making sure he was playing the game of basketball," Hill said. "I just hope this is going to bring awareness and hopefully we stop this all in all.”
Last year, a representative for Paqui told the TODAY show in a statement that the company takes "safety very seriously and have worked hard to ensure our products are properly and clearly labeled with allergen and safety information. It is our intent that consumers take on this challenge with a full understanding of what it is and if it is appropriate for them."
The challenge has been around for a few years, with the company releasing a new flavor every year. This year's was 'Carolina Reaper.' Previously, a school in LA had to send several students home after participating in the challenge. In a statement, the Dublin Unified School District said, “We learned about the one-chip challenge trend after several students were sent home due to adverse reactions related to this product."
The recent social media trend has caused some children to vomit, sweat profusely and their tongues turn blue after participating in the One Chip Challenge (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)"As the district has done in the past, when a social media challenge encourages activity that could be harmful, we send a letter to our parents regarding the situation and encourage them to have a conversation with their children," said the note from the school.
Doctors have previously warned parents about eating the chips. Paqui does print a warning on the label saying that only adults should eat this chip. However, we know that kids are attracted to anything that has the word 'challenge' and over the years, several have had to seek medical care.
“They come in with something that looks like a stomach flu. Nausea, vomiting for a couple of days,” said Phoenix pediatrician Dr. Gary Kirkilas. “The ingredients are the Carolina reaper pepper and the Scorpion pepper. Now on a scale, if you think of a jalapeno pepper or Tobasco sauce, these are numerous times more spicy,” said the doctor.
Dr Kirkillas told Fox News that he feels that companies contribute to the amount of teens participating, as their marketing is extremely attractive to teens. “If you look at the website, it’ll say how long can you last after taking it and not taking any water? Can you last a minute? Can you last an hour?” said Dr. Kirkilas.
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Teen mental health expert Katey McPherson added, “This is going to be attractive to even the best of kids.”
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