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US teen dies after taking part in viral social media challenge

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A 14-year-old Massachusetts teen, Harris Wolobah, has died of cardiac arrest after participating in the viral “One Chip Challenge.” This social media dare involves eating a single, dangerously hot tortilla chip made by Paqui, dusted with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.

The autopsy, released Thursday, confirmed that Harris’s death in September was due to the high levels of capsaicin, a potent chili pepper extract, which triggered the fatal heart event. The report also noted that the teen had an enlarged heart, potentially exacerbating the effects of the extreme spice.

Paqui, whose product packaging warns of ‘extreme heat’ and resembles a coffin with a red skull, swiftly pulled the notorious chip from shelves following the incident. The “One Chip Challenge” has a history of causing severe reactions, with three youths hospitalized in California and seven others falling ill in Minnesota.

This tragic incident highlights the potentially deadly risks of such extreme social media challenges, sparking a call for greater awareness and caution among young participants.