Warning over dangerous TikTok ‘One Chip Challenge’ spreading like wildfire on social media which sees people eat extremely spicy tortillas – after US teenager, 14, died while taking part in viral craze
Experts have issued urgent warnings about a dangerous TikTok trend after an American teenager died while taking part in it.
The ‘One Chip Challenge’ has been viewed more than 2 billion times on TikTok.
It involves eating what is said to be the spiciest tortilla chip in the world while not eating or drinking anything else to ease the pain for as long as possible.
But experts are warning people to avoid the challenge after the death of Harris Wolobah, 14, of Worcester, Massachusetts.
He died on September 1 after eating the spicy potato chips given to him by a classmate.
Harris Wolobah, 14, died hours after eating a spicy tortilla chip as part of the “One Chip Challenge,” a social media trend that has gained billions of views on TikTok
The photo shows TikTokker WalkZ’s reaction after eating the incredibly spicy chips for which people have been hospitalized
People record their reactions to eating the chips and post them on TikTok, gaining billions of views
TikTokker Etizolam wears a plastic glove to handle the tortilla chips, which come in a box shaped like a box
Harris complained of abdominal pain after eating the chip provided by a classmate
According to his mother, Lois, his family believes Mr. Wolobah died of complications from the challenge.
The teen fell ill at school with severe abdominal pain and was taken home, but collapsed a few hours later. He was rushed to hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.
Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it had received reports of people being sent to hospital after eating the intensely spicy chip.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA, told the Telegraph: ‘It is important that food is consumed as intended and that consumers follow any consumer advice on food labels or packaging.
“If there is unsafe food on the market, we take prompt action to ensure it is removed and warn consumers.”
Another expert warned that capsaicin, an active compound in chili peppers, could be potentially deadly at high doses.
Dr. Melanie Ribbeck of the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic told Fox26Houston: ‘There is a potential for dangerous side effects from consuming large amounts of capsaicin.
“Repeated episodes of vomiting after eating something hot that can damage your esophagus.”
“There are also reports of people experiencing chest pain or having a heart attack.”
Phoenix pediatrician Dr. Gary Kirkilas said, “They come in with what looks like a stomach flu. Nausea, vomiting for a few days.
‘The ingredients are the Carolina reaper pepper and the Scorpion pepper. If you think of a jalapeno pepper or Tobasco sauce, these are much spicier.’
Dr. Bret Christiansen of the Marshall Medical Center said, “You may feel a burning sensation or pain throughout your digestive tract and this can be quite severe after a short time.”
Videos on TikTok show grown men crying in pain after eating the chips.
At first they start the videos smiling, seemingly excited to take on the challenge.
But within moments, they begin to cry, turn red, and are clearly in extreme physical pain.
In one video, a man eats copious amounts of yogurt and drinks water, but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference to the discomfort.
The chips, sold by Paqui, come in a box shaped like a chest.
Paqui has been encouraging the challenge since 2016, releasing a new flavor every year.
The 2023 edition will be available on Amazon from August 9.
Paqui, the manufacturer of the chip, encourages people to explore their physical limits. Those who can sustain the burning pain for up to an hour without food or drink earn the title of ‘Apex Predator’
The 2023 edition of the “One Chip Challenges” features a tortilla chip flavored with two of the spiciest peppers possible: the California Reaper Pepper and the Naga Viper Pepper. The California Reaper is ranked as the world’s spiciest pepper
Some of the ingredients include the California Reaper Pepper and Naga Viper Pepper.
The California Reaper Pepper was officially declared the world’s hottest pepper, measuring as much as 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) on the Scoville scale. The Naga Viper Pepper came in just short with 1,382,118 SHUs.
The scale measures the strength of different peppers relative to capsaicin, the substance that gives chili peppers their heat. Pure capsaicin measures 16 million Scoville units.
A warning label on the action site reads: ‘Keep out of the reach of children. Intended for consumption by adults.’
The page encourages people to seek medical attention if they experience complications such as difficulty breathing, fainting or “prolonged nausea.”
An image on the site reads, “How long can you hold out before spiraling?” and shows an image of the Grim Reaper holding a snake.
Those who cannot eat or drink anything for an hour to counteract the heat are considered an ‘Apex Predator’.
It remains unclear whether the snappy chip contributed to Harris’s death and an autopsy is pending.
On September 3, Dr. Rachel Monárrez, superintendent of Worcester Public Schools, issued a statement published on the Worcester Public Schools website.
She called the teen a “rising star.”
The teen was described as intelligent, headstrong and talented, with a passion for video games and basketball.
Paqui, a Texas-based brand owned by The Hershey Company, says it takes safety “very seriously” and advises anyone who has trouble breathing, faints or experiences prolonged nausea to seek medical attention.
It also said it has “worked hard” to ensure its products are properly labeled with allergen and safety information.
A spokesperson said: “It is our intention for consumers to take on this challenge with a full understanding of what it is and whether it is right for them.”