In a tragic incident, a 14-year-old Massachusetts teenager, Harris Wolobah, passed away from cardiac arrest hours after consuming a spicy tortilla chip as part of the popular "One Chip Challenge." According to the autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it was revealed that Wolobah had ingested a significant amount of a chili pepper extract, leading to his untimely demise on September 1, 2023.

The chip responsible for the teenager's death was swiftly removed from store shelves by its manufacturer, Paqui, a few days after the incident occurred. Wolobah's cause of death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest "in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration." The medical examiner further noted that the teenager had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect.

Tragically, Wolobah's mother, Lois Wolobah, shared the devastating news, recounting the moments leading up to her son's passing. She mentioned how Harris had fainted after consuming the chip, which was given to him by a friend. Upon returning home, he collapsed again and was rushed to the emergency room, where he ultimately succumbed to his condition. Wolobah's family stated that the young boy had been a healthy basketball player with no known allergies.

The "One Chip Challenge," a viral trend on social media, features a single chip packaged as the "Carolina Reaper" and "Naga Viper Pepper." The product bears a clear warning label advising it to be kept out of reach of children. However, investigations by WBZ-TV uncovered the availability of these chips near Doherty High School, where Wolobah attended.

In response to the tragedy, a spokesperson for Paqui expressed concern over the increasing usage of the product among teenagers. The company emphasized that the label clearly indicates the chip is not intended for children, individuals sensitive to spicy foods, or those with underlying health conditions.

This is not the first time the "One Chip Challenge" has come under scrutiny. Last year, it was also linked to the poisoning of a sixth-grade student in San Francisco. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spiciness of chili peppers, is measured in Scoville heat units. The "One Chip Challenge" utilizes tortilla chips made with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper Peppers, which range from 1.4 million to 2.2 million Scoville heat units, significantly higher than jalapeno peppers which measure only between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville.

While capsaicin can cause mild irritation in the mouth and throat, larger doses can result in severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, allergic reactions, esophageal damage, rapid heart rate, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and even heart attacks, as stated by the National Capital Poison Center.

Dr. Mallika Marshall from WBZ-TV highlighted the importance of parents alerting their children about the dangers of participating in such challenges and resisting peer pressure to consume dangerously spicy foods. If anyone experiences trouble breathing or chest pain after consuming capsaicin, immediate medical assistance should be sought by calling 911.

The tragic loss of Harris Wolobah serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with participating in viral food challenges, calling for increased awareness and caution among individuals of all ages.