"Spicy Chip" Kills Teen!

An autopsy of a 14-year-old American teenager revealed that he died after consuming an extremely spicy potato chip as part of a controversial challenge. Harris Woluba, a resident of northeastern Massachusetts, suffered a cardiac arrest due to ingesting a food item containing a high amount of capsaicin. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in hot peppers that causes a burning sensation in those who consume it. Local media reported that the teen died on September 1, 2023, after attempting the “One Chip Challenge,” which involves eating a chip that contains a large amount of spice without drinking water for as long as possible. The product in question contains Carolina Reaper peppers, which is documented by the Guinness World Records as the hottest pepper in the world. The potato chip is sold in a bag placed inside a coffin-shaped box and adorned with a skull. The manufacturer of these chips pulled the product from the market following Harris's death. The autopsy report indicated that the young man had pre-existing cardiovascular disease, which could have contributed to his death. Local media also covered cases of other teenagers who became ill or were hospitalized after consuming these chips, specifically in California and Minnesota.