A lawsuit was filed Thursday in the case of a Massachusetts teen who died after participating in the spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media.
Harris Woolopah, a 10th grader from Worcester, died on September 1, 2023, after eating Paki chips as part of the manufacturer’s “One Chip Challenge”. A post-mortem examination revealed Woolopah died after consuming a large amount of chilli extract and also had a congenital heart defect.
Harris died of cardiopulmonary arrest “as a result of recent ingestion of a food item containing a high concentration of capsaicin,” according to an autopsy report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Capsaicin is the ingredient that gives chili peppers their heat.
The autopsy also stated that Harris had an enlarged heart, and a congenital defect described as “myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery.”
Buckeye, a Texas-based subsidiary of Hershey, expressed sadness over Wallopah’s death, but also pointed to “the clear and prominent label on the chip highlighting that the product is not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or with underlying health conditions.”
The Paki chip, which sold individually for about $10, was wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box with a warning that it was intended for “the vengeful pleasure of extreme heat and pain.” The warning said the chip was for adult consumption only and should be kept out of the reach of children.
Despite the warning, kids have had no trouble buying chips, and there have been reports from across the country of teens falling ill after taking part in the potato chip challenge. They include three California high school students who were hospitalized and seven Minnesota students who were treated by paramedics after taking part in the challenge in 2022.
The challenge required participants to eat Paki chips and then see how long they could go without any other food or water. Sales of the chips appear to be largely driven by people posting videos on social media of themselves or their friends taking the challenge. The videos showed people, including children, opening the wrapper, eating the chips and then reacting to the heat. Some videos showed people vomiting, coughing and begging for water.
Harris’ death has sparked warnings from authorities and doctors in Massachusetts, who have warned that eating such spicy foods can have unintended consequences. Since the potato chip trend began, poison control centers have warned that concentrated amounts can cause allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeats and even heart attacks or strokes.