In a tragic turn of events, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Hershey, Walgreens, and several other parties following the death of a Massachusetts teenager who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge that gained popularity on social media. Harris Wolobah, a 10th grader from Worcester, passed away on September 1, 2023, after consuming the Paqui chip as part of the manufacturer's "One Chip Challenge."

According to the autopsy conducted by the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner, Wolobah's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest, which occurred after ingesting a large quantity of chile pepper extract. The autopsy also revealed that Wolobah had a congenital heart defect known as "myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery" and an enlarged heart, referred to as cardiomegaly.

The family's attorney, Douglas Sheff, stated during a news conference that they had filed the lawsuit seeking a judgment, including punitive damages, for the tragic loss of their beloved son. Sheff argued that a combination of factors led to Wolobah's death, asserting that Paqui's production of the spicy chip and the encouragement of individuals posting videos of themselves consuming the chip on social media, along with allegations of Walgreens selling the "poisonous" chip to children, were responsible for creating a "perfect storm."

Sheff also criticized the defendants, emphasizing the $10 price tag placed on each chip, the same chip that Harris consumed. He argued that this demonstrated the defendants' knowledge regarding the unreasonable danger associated with the chip and suggested that it was a marketing campaign intentionally designed to attract children.

During the news conference, Harris' parents, Lois and Amos Wolobah, were present but chose not to speak. However, Amos Wolobah appeared visibly emotional, and Lois blew a kiss to a photo of Harris that was displayed. Sheff dismissed any claims that Wolobah's pre-existing heart condition played a role in his death, asserting unequivocally that the chip itself was the cause.

Paqui, a Texas-based subsidiary of the Hershey Co., expressed their sadness regarding Wolobah's death but reiterated that the chip's packaging included clear warnings indicating that it was not suitable for children or individuals sensitive to spice or with underlying health conditions. They stated that they voluntarily removed the product from shelves in September 2023 and discontinued the One Chip Challenge.

Walgreens spokesperson declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, while Hershey's did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

Despite the explicit warnings, reports have emerged from across the country of teenagers falling ill after participating in the chip-eating challenge. In 2022, three high school students in California required hospitalization, and seven students in Minnesota received medical attention from paramedics after taking part in the challenge.

The lawsuit serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with viral challenges and the responsibility of manufacturers and retailers in ensuring the safety of their products. The court will now assess the merits of the case and determine the appropriate judgment in this deeply tragic incident.