14-year-old boy DIES after participating in TikTok viral ‘One Chip Challenge’

14-year-old boy DIES after participating in TikTok viral ‘One Chip Challenge’

A tenth-grade boy has suddenly died after partaking in the viral ‘One Chip Challenge’ and eating what is said to be the spiciest chip in the world.

According to NBC Boston, Harris Wolobah died on the same day he participated in the online trend known as the “One Chip Challenge.” Harris hailed from Worcester, Massachusetts and was only 14 at the time of his death.

On September 1, the boy’s mother was called to the school when Harris complained of a stomachache. He’d eaten the dangerously spicy chip after it was given to him by a classmate.

The young teen felt better after going home but he passed out at 4.30pm when he was about to leave for basketball tryouts.

Speaking with the Worcester Telegram, police Lt. Sean Murtha said the boy was unresponsive and not breathing. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

While Harris’s death marks the first reported fatality after eating the chips, many other children have needed medical attention after eating them.

In October 2022, a school district in Lafayette, Louisiana banned the chips from all campuses after multiple students needed medical attention.

Less than one month later, paramedics were called to a high school in Dunwood, Georgia, prompting police to issue a warning about the snack.

The ‘One Chip Challenge’ is a marketing campaign surrounding a single tortilla chip that is advertised as the spiciest in the world.

The challenge has drawn a following across social media, with the ‘#onechipchallenge’ tag boasting over two billion views on TikTok.

A new flavor is released every year, and the 2023 edition became available on Amazon starting August 9. While under ten ingredients are listed, two that stand out the most are the California Reaper Pepper and Naga Viper Pepper.

A warning label on the promotional site reads: ‘Keep out of reach of children. Intended for adult consumption.’

The page encourages people to seek medical attention if they experience complications like difficulty breathing, fainting or ‘extended nausea’.

Paqui has run an ad campaign challenging people to test if they can take the pain.

A graphic on the site reads ‘How long can you last before you spiral out?’ and features an image of a grim reaper gripping a snake.

Those who can go one hour without eating or drinking anything to counter the heat are deemed an ‘Apex Predator’.

It remains unclear if the spicy chip contributed to Harris’s death and an autopsy is pending.

On September 3, Dr. Rachel Monárrez, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools, issued a statement that was published to the Worcester Public Schools website.

“As a mother and educator, I cannot imagine how hard this is on his family, friends and teachers. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him,’ Monárrez wrote.

‘It is during the most trying times that the community of Worcester comes together and this is one of those times. May we stay focused on allowing the grief and healing process during this difficult time.’

A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up by Tashia Roberts, the boy’s cousin, the day after his passing with a goal of $30,000.

At the time of writing over $20,000 had already been raised.

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