Paqui, the maker of extremely spicy tortilla chips marketed as the “One Chip Challenge,” is voluntarily pulling the product from shelves after a woman said her teenage son died of complications from consuming a single chip.

The chips were sold individually, and their seasoning included two of the hottest peppers in the world: the Carolina Reaper and the Naga Viper.

Each chip was packaged in a coffin-shaped container with a skull on the front.

Lois Wolobah told NBC Boston that her 14-year-old son, Harris Wolobah, ate the chip Friday, then went to the school nurse with a stomachache. Wolobah said Harris — a sophomore at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts — passed out at home that afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day, she said.

Until sales of the product were suspended, Paqui’s marketing dared people to participate in the challenge by eating a chip, posting pictures of their tongues on social media after the chip turned it blue and then waiting as long as possible to relieve the burn with water or other food.

The challenge has existed in some form since 2016.

  • @[email protected]
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    41 year ago

    I think you misinterpreted my point, that is…not the I used at all. I never once claimed that any of those things - chip included - should be outright banned.

    YOU drew the comparison to alcohol, I was applying YOUR logic for chip accessibility (lol sounds like we’re talking tech) to it.

    Now you’ve added R rated movies so…where they check for ID and don’t let unaccompanied kids in. You’ve been arguing my point the whole time…that maybe there are things kids shouldn’t be able to buy for themselves…

    • Shalakushka
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      1 year ago

      You said it shouldn’t be on shelves, what do you think that means???

      • @[email protected]
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        51 year ago

        It KNOW it means I think they shouldn’t be on a shelf where a kid can grab it and ring up at self checkout. I’m talking grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. I have no problem with it being sold at adult-focused stores like liquor stores, head shops, etc. Or ya know, it’s 2023…lots of products like this sold exclusively on the Internet.

        Less-damaging products have been outright banned before and I’m not advocating for the same for this, just that it shouldn’t be so easy for children to get their hands on.