What happens when a viral social media challenge created to market a product turns deadly? What happens when teenagers and young adults partake in such challenges without understanding their consequences? Apparently, the result is the death of a 14-year-old boy from Massachusetts. The most possible cause — One Chip Challenge. So, read on to know what is this unfortunate viral and deadly One Chip Challenge all about.
What Is One Chip Challenge & Why Did It Claim A Life?
According to a report by NBC 10 Boston, Harris Wolobah a 14-year-old boy died last week after taking part in the ‘One Chip Challenge.’ The young boy’s family believe the cause of his death to be the ‘One Chip Challenge’. This social media challenge was started by Paqui, a tortilla chip company. To market its products, the company came up with this challenge that involves eating a single spicy tortilla chip and then waiting as long as possible without drinking or eating anything else to douse the spicy sensation in your mouth.
Unlike your regular spicy chips, this chip is actually made with capsaicin. Pure capsaicin contains a whopping 15 million Scoville heat units (SHU). This is undoubtedly one of the spiciest chillies in the world. It’s known to cause mouth and throat pain with serious health issues like oesophagal damage and heart attacks. Yet, the challenge asks participants to test if they are “invincible” by eating a single tortilla chip with capsaicin and waiting as long as possible, even a full hour, without soothing their taste buds.
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Did A 14-YO Boy Die Within 24 Hours Of Eating This Chip?
Unfortunately, Harris Wolobah fell prey to this challenge. The 14-year-old lad consumed this extremely spicy Paqui chip in school after which he suffered from a stomach ache. His mother told NBC 10 Boston that his family picked him up from school. He felt better at home. But then just before leaving for basketball tryouts, he passed out. On being rushed to the hospital, Harris Wolobah died. An autopsy is yet to be conducted to find out the cause of his death.
Reportedly, Paqui stated on their website that this challenge is only applicable to adults and one must wash their hands with soap and avoid touching their eyes and other sensitive areas after touching the spicy chip. The website also asks participants facing any symptoms to seek help from Poison Control and dial 1-800-222-1222.
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But the question remains. Is this just the beginning of the One Chip Challenge facing victims or is this the first and the last case?
Cover Image Courtesy: @paquichips/ Instagram and GoFundMe