One Chip Challenge

The One Chip Challenge was an internet challenge where participants had to eat an extremely spicy Carolina Reaper chip made by Paqui. After consuming the chip, participants then had to avoid eating or drinking anything afterwards for a set amount of time. The challenge was initially marketed by Amplify Snack Brands before being sold to The Hershey Company and suspended after a customer death in 2023. During the fall season from 2016 to 2023, the chip was sold in various packaging before being declared "sold out". The formulation changed annually with added peppers such as Trinidad Moruga scorpions, Sichuans and Naga Vipers. The challenge was tried by celebrities and social media personalities, and received criticism for negative associated health effects. Paqui's One Chip Challenge ended in September 2023 when Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old boy from Worcester, Massachusetts, died a few hours after he took the challenge. Paqui immediately withdrew and discontinued the chips from any further sales and indefinitely stopped publicity for the challenge. The teen's death later led to the chip being withdrawn from sale by Paqui and recalled from stores. After an investigation into the cause of death, an autopsy report released to various news outlets in May 2024 confirmed that Wolobah died from cardiopulmonary arrest after eating a substance containing a high amount of capsaicin, and had cardiomegaly, a congenital heart defect. Paqui responded by stating that the warning label on their website and packaging clearly said that the challenge was not for children, or those with health risks. The death lead to increased scrutiny on capsaicin products and their health risks.