The One Chip Challenge is a social media challenge that involves eating a single tortilla chip dusted with the Carolina Reaper pepper, one of the hottest peppers in the world. The challenge has been around for several years, but it gained renewed popularity in 2023 after a teenager died after participating in it.
The teenager, Harris Wolobah, was 14 years old and from Worcester, Massachusetts. He ate the chip on September 2, 2023, and died hours later. His family said that he had no known health problems.
The One Chip Challenge is not without its risks. The Carolina Reaper pepper can cause severe burning in the mouth and throat, as well as other symptoms such as sweating, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, it can even lead to hospitalization.
Paqui, the company that makes the One Chip Challenge chip, has warned people not to participate in the challenge if they are pregnant, have a heart condition, or are sensitive to spicy food. However, these warnings have not stopped people from trying the challenge.
In the wake of Harris Wolobah's death, Paqui has announced that it is pulling the One Chip Challenge chip from store shelves. The company said that it is doing this "out of an abundance of caution."
The One Chip Challenge is a dangerous fad that needs to stop. It is not worth the risk of serious health problems or even death. If you are thinking about participating in the challenge, please reconsider. There are plenty of other ways to have fun without putting your health at risk.
In addition to the death of Harris Wolobah, there have been other reports of people experiencing serious side effects after participating in the One Chip Challenge. In January 2022, three students at a high school in Lodi, California, went to the emergency room after eating the chip. They suffered from vomiting, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
In September 2022, three students at a middle school in Tyler, Texas, also went to the hospital after eating the chip. They were treated for "a severe reaction."
These are just a few of the many reports of people experiencing serious side effects after participating in the One Chip Challenge. It is clear that this challenge is not worth the risk.
If you are thinking about participating in the One Chip Challenge, please reconsider. There are plenty of other ways to have fun without putting your health at risk. Here are a few ideas:
Go for a hike.
Have a picnic with friends.
Go to the movies.
Read a book.
Spend time with family.
There are many ways to enjoy yourself without putting your health at risk. Please don't participate in the One Chip Challenge. It's not worth it.