A 14-year-old Massachusetts boy has died after eating the world’s spiciest tortilla chip as part of a social media challenge. This is reported by American media.
Harris Wolobah from Worcester took part in the so-called ‘ One Chip Challenge ‘, a challenge that is going viral on social media these days. Participants eat the ‘spiciest tortilla chip in the world’, and then wait as long as possible to drink.
The chip, made by US company Paqui, is sold in a coffin-like package and contains a warning that the contents are for adults only, to be kept away from children, and not to be eaten by people sensitive to spicy food or with allergies. Anyone who becomes nauseated, faints or has difficulty breathing after eating the chip is advised to seek medical attention.
According to Lois Walobah, the 14-year-old’s mother, she received a call on Friday from the school nurse, who told her that her son had been given the chip by a classmate. The boy then developed a stomach ache and passed out during basketball practice. The boy was taken to hospital, but his death was confirmed there.
“Such chips can cause difficulty breathing due to irritation of the esophagus,” says Dr Lauren Rice of the Tufts Medical Center in Boston with American media. According to Lois Wolobah, there is no doubt that her son died as a result of eating the tortilla chip. Worcester police have opened an investigation into the boy’s death, but have not yet confirmed his cause of death, pending an autopsy.