A 14-year-old boy, Harris Wolobah, from Worcester, Massachusetts, tragically passed away on Friday, after taking part in the viral “One Chip Challenge.”
His family has attributed his passing to complications from eating an extremely spicy chip as part of the challenge.
The One Chip Challenge is a viral social media challenge in which participants eat what is claimed to be the world’s spiciest tortilla chip, which is seasoned with the Carolina Reaper and Scorpion chile peppers, and wait as long as possible before eating or drinking anything else for relief.
The chip, made by Paqui, comes in a coffin shaped package that includes a warning to keep away from children.
NBC 10 reported:
A 14-year-old student from Worcester, Massachusetts, died on Friday, officials say, and his family says his death was caused by complications from eating an extremely spicy chip that’s the subject of a viral challenge.
Harris Wolobah’s mother confirmed to NBC10 Boston that the family believes the teenager died of complications from the One Chip Challenge, though the results of an autopsy were pending.
The Worcester school community was mourning Harris, a sophomore at Doherty Memorial High School, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez said in a statement on Sunday, calling him “a rising star.”
Harris’ cause of death has not been confirmed, and officials didn’t share more info information about the circumstances around it.
The One Chip Challenge is a social media challenge that involves eating purportedly the spiciest tortilla chip in the world, then waiting as long as possible before eating or drinking something for relief. The chip, made by Paqui, comes in a coffin container and has a warning that it should be kept away from children, is only for adults to eat, and shouldn’t be eaten by anyone who’s sensitive to spicy food or with an allergen.
Watch the video report from KSAT News:
