US state investigates teen’s death as company pulls spicy One Chip Challenge from store shelves

A package of Paqui OneChipChallenge spicy tortilla chips in Boston. Authorities are raising the alarm about a OneChipChallenge social media trend that encourages people to avoid seeking relief from eating and drinking for as long as possible after eating the chips, days after a Massachusetts teenager died hours after taking part in the challenge. The dare is popular on social media sites, with scores of people including children unwrapping the packaging, eating the chips and reacting to the heat. — AP

WORCESTER, Massachusetts: The maker of an extremely spicy tortilla chip said Sept 7 it is working to remove the product from stores as Massachusetts authorities investigate the death of a teen whose family pointed to the One Chip Challenge popularised as a dare on social media as a contributing factor.

The cause of Harris Wolobah’s death on Sept 1 has yet to be determined and an autopsy is pending, but the 14-year-old’s family blamed the challenge.