Teen died of cardiac arrest after attempting viral 'one chip challenge'

17 May 2024 , 11:31

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Harris Wolobah died of cardiopulmonary arrest after eating a large quantity of chile pepper extract (Image: GoFundMe)

A teenager tragically died of cardiopulmonary arrest after eating a spicy chip as part of a social media challenge, according to autopsy results.

Harris Wolobah, a 10th-grade student from Worcester, Massachusetts, sadly passed away on September 1, 2023, just two days after participating in the social media dare "One Chip Challenge", involving a fiery tortilla chip, an autopsy report revealed. The young lad was found unresponsive at his home by police and was immediately rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His death was linked to cardiopulmonary arrest "in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration." The report highlighted that the 14-year-old, who was a pupil at Doherty Memorial High School, had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect.

READ MORE: Horrified parents call for 'One Chip Challenge' ban as teenager dies after eating spicy crisp

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The teen died after participating in the 'One Chip Challenge' (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)

The cause of the teen's death was confirmed on February 27, and a death certificate was issued to the Worcester city clerk's office on March 5, as stated by Elaine Driscoll, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The state only released the cause and manner of death. Officials will not release a full report, which is not considered part of the public record, Ms Driscoll said.

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The notorious "One Chip Challenge" is an online dare where participants are required to eat one extremely hot Paqui Carolina Reaper chip and resist the urge to eat or drink anything afterwards. The challenge has been attempted by celebrities and social media influencers, but it has faced backlash due to its potential health risks.

Following Harris' death, Paqui decided to pull the chips from further sales, recall them from stores, and put a halt to any promotion for the challenge indefinitely. The Paqui chip, retailing at around $10 (£8) each, comes in a coffin-shaped box and is wrapped in foil. It carries a warning that it is meant for the "vengeful pleasure of intense heat and pain."

In a statement on Thursday, Paqui cited the chip's "clear and prominent labelling highlighting that the product was not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or with underlying health conditions." But the company confirmed the product has been removed from the shelves and the challenge has been discontinued.

Teen died of cardiac arrest after attempting viral 'one chip challenge'

The Paqui chip was sold individually for about $10 (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)

The statement read: "We saw increased reports of teens and other individuals not heeding these warnings. As a result, while the product adhered to food safety standards, out of an abundance of caution, we worked with retailers to voluntarily remove the product from shelves in September 2023, and the One Chip Challenge has been discontinued."

Despite these warnings, kids have been able to purchase these chips, leading to reports of teenagers falling ill after participating in the chip-eating challenge. This includes three high school students from California who were hospitalised and seven Minnesota students who received treatment from paramedics after taking part in the 2022 challenge.

The challenge called for participants to eat the Paqui chip and then see how long they could go without consuming other food and water. Sales of the chip seemed largely driven by people posting videos on social media of them or their friends taking the challenge. They showed people, including children, unwrapping the packaging, eating the chips and then reacting to the heat. Some videos showed people gagging, coughing and begging for water.

Spicy food challenges have been around for years. From local chilli pepper eating contests to restaurant walls of fame for those who finished extra hot dishes, people around the world have been daring each other to eat especially fiery foods, with some experts pointing to the internal rush of competition and risk-taking.

Paqui have removed the viral chip from sale (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)

A YouTube series called "Hot Ones" rose to internet fame several years ago with videos of celebrities' reactions to eating spicy wings. Meanwhile, restaurants nationwide have offered in-person challenges - from Buffalo Wild Wings' "Blazin' Challenge" to the "Hell Challenge" of Wing King in Las Vegas.

In both challenges, patrons over 18 can attempt to eat a certain amount of wings doused in extra hot sauce in a limited time without drinking or eating other food. Chilli pepper eating contests are also regularly hosted around the world. Extremely spicy products created and marketed solely for the challenges - and possible internet fame - represent a more recent phenomenon exacerbated by social media.

Harris' death spurred warnings from Massachusetts authorities and physicians, who cautioned that eating such spicy foods can have unintended consequences. Since the chip fad emerged, poison control centers have warned that the concentrated amount could cause allergic reactions, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeats, and even heart attacks or strokes.