Current Events > Teenager dies from (seemingly) the Pacqui one-chip challenge

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Massachusetts teen dies after eating spicy tortilla chip


A 14-year-old boy from Massachusetts died unexpectedly a short time after he ate a particularly spicy tortilla chip, leaving his family grieving and searching for answers.


Harris Wolobah died on Friday, said a statementfrom officials at the Worcester public school district where the boy studied.


Harriss cause of death had not been determined on Tuesday as results of his autopsy remained pending, but his relatives fear that complications from eating an extremely spicy tortilla chip from the manufacturer Pacqui were a factor, according to an online GoFundMe campaignmeant to benefit his family.


The campaigns organizer, who describes herself as a cousin of Harris, wrote: The pain our family is experiencing is unimaginable.


Pacqui did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company promotes a one chip challenge and invites consumers to publish videos of themselves on social media eating the product derived from two of the worlds hottest peppers.


Harriss mother, Lois Wolobah, told the local television news outlet WBTS that her son was given a Pacqui chip by a fellow student at Doherty Memorial high school in Worcester, Massachusetts. Harris soon had an intense stomachache and went to the school nurse, who called his mother to pick him up.


Harris felt some relief after going home, but then he lost consciousness as he prepared to go try out for a basketball team, Lois Wolobah reportedly said.


After his brother found him passed out, Harris was brought to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead there.


Worcester police confirmed that they were among the authorities investigating Harriss death, WBTS reported. But officers stopped short of saying whether they were investigating any activities beyond the Harriss consumption of a Pacqui chip as a possible contributor to his death.


Lois Wolobah subsequently told WBTS that she believes her son should have been sent to the hospital instead of to his home after going to the nurses office. And she said she spoke to the outlet so that families become aware of warnings associated with the Pacqui chips.


The individually wrapped tortilla chips are made from the Carolina Reaper and Scorpion chili peppers, which are two of the spiciest in the world, information from Pacqui shows. Pacqui warns consumers that the chips are for adults only and should be kept away from children or anyone who has allergies or sensitivities to spicy food.


The Pacqui-pushed one chip challenge is popular on TikTok, where users have posted videos of themselves eating the treats and seeing how long they can forego drinking or eating something meant to neutralize the spicy sensation it provokes.


Challenge participants mostly report tears or stomach pain. But the challenge did draw unflattering headlines when first responders in Georgia reported that they had to go to a local high school to treat a student who tried to participate in the one chip challenge.


Several students in Californias Bay Area who reported getting sick after attempting the challenge also reportedly prompted their school district to give parents notice about the activity.


The statement from officials in charge of Harriss school described him as a rising star. A note on his familys GoFundMe campaign which had raised more than $22,000 as of Tuesday said that he was an intelligent, quirky and incredibly talented young man who loved video games and playing basketball.


Harris was a light that lit up the room with his presence and subtle charm, the note on the site added.

What is even the appeal of something like this

Ha, he couldn't handle the heat eh? I tried it. The flavor was disgusting but it had a nice kick to it.

Ha, he couldn't handle the heat eh? I tried it. The flavor was disgusting but it had a nice kick to it.

Bro this is not the topic to go "well ackshually it's not that spicy, just a nice kick!"

Or to, ya know, laugh about a child's death.

I ate the 2023 chip and honestly it was only really bad for like 15 - 20 mins and then I was fine. I've had hotter foods, especially Korean dishes.

Pacqui warns consumers that the chips are for adults only and should be kept away from children or anyone who has allergies or sensitivities to spicy food.

Somebody died fam

Ha, he couldn't handle the heat eh? I tried it. The flavor was disgusting but it had a nice kick to it.

why would you post this

People who think things like Jalapeo are spicy are strange to me.

TikTok was a mistake

She's already getting her ducks in a row. She's suing the school for sending him home and Pacqui for making the chip. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't go after the kid who gave him the chip too.

Lois Wolobah subsequently told WBTS that she believes her son should have been sent to the hospital instead of to his home after going to the nurses office.

Harris soon had an intense stomachache and went to the school nurse, who called his mother to pick him up.

Harris felt some relief after going home, but then he lost consciousness as he prepared to go try out for a basketball team

TikTok was a mistake

Hmmmmm, thought it was click bait admittedly I only read the topic title. Wonder if he had an allergic reaction or perhaps he overreacted and ended up somehow going into shock. TikTok ought to ban anything including the word challenge as it seems they all end up in someone dying.

Wouldn't surprise me if it happened because of a Thunderclap headache.

At that age, me and my friends used to do eating challenges all the time. Mainly we would see who could eat the most whole Jalapeo peppers and stuff like that. It seemed like a relatively wholesome way to spend time, and it never once crossed my mind it could be dangerous.

So sorry for this child and his family. What a tragic outcome.

I didn't know shit could be spicy enough to kill someone, jesus.

Mice and rats dosed orally with 96 to 200 mg/kg capsaicin demonstrated immediate salivation, convulsions, reddening of the skin, and dypsnea, or labored breathing. Animals either died within 26 minutes of dosing, or showed no further symptoms 24 hours after dosing.22

apparently he ate 16 of them

cant find an actual source though other than this

https://twitter.com/DailyLoud/status/1699142013684175300

What is even the appeal of something like this