The One Chip Challenge, a popular social media challenge that involves eating a single chip coated in Carolina Reaper pepper extract, has been pulled from shelves after a 16-year-old boy died after participating in the challenge.
The boy, who has not been identified, died on January 15, 2023, after eating the chip. He had been participating in the challenge with friends at his home in Florida.
The One Chip Challenge was created by the American snack food company Paqui. The chip is made with Carolina Reaper peppers, which are the hottest peppers in the world. The challenge involves eating the chip without drinking anything for 10 minutes.
The challenge has been popular on social media, with many people posting videos of themselves trying to complete it. However, there have also been reports of people getting sick or injured after participating in the challenge.
In the wake of the boy’s death, Paqui has announced that it is pulling the One Chip Challenge chip from shelves. The company said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened” by the boy’s death and that it is “taking this matter very seriously.”
Paqui said that it is working with the authorities to investigate the boy’s death. The company also said that it is offering its condolences to the boy’s family.
The One Chip Challenge is not the first food challenge to have led to serious injuries or death. In 2017, a man in the United Kingdom died after participating in the “Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Wing Challenge.” The challenge involved eating 10 chicken wings in under 10 minutes.
In 2018, a woman in Australia died after participating in the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” The challenge involved pouring a bucket of ice water over one’s head to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
These deaths highlight the dangers of participating in food challenges. While they may seem like harmless fun, they can have serious consequences. If you are thinking about participating in a food challenge, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully.
If you are thinking about participating in a food challenge, it is important to be aware of the risks and to take precautions to protect yourself. Here are some tips:
- Do not participate if you have any health conditions that could be exacerbated by the challenge.
- Do not participate if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Eat a healthy meal before participating in the challenge.
- Drink plenty of water during the challenge.
- Stop if you start to feel sick.
If you are concerned about the safety of a food challenge, it is best to avoid it altogether. There are many other ways to have fun and challenge yourself without putting your health at risk.