BOSTON — A Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media died from consuming a big amount of chile pepper extract and in addition had a congenital coronary heart defect, in response to an post-mortem report obtained by The Related Press.
Harris Wolobah, a tenth grader from town of Worcester, died on Sept. 1, 2023, after consuming the chip manufactured by Paqui. The reason for loss of life was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest “within the setting of latest ingestion of meals substance with excessive capsaicin focus,” in response to the post-mortem from the Chief Workplace of the Medical Examiner.
Paqui, pulled the product from retailer cabinets shortly after Harris’ loss of life. The Related Press despatched an electronic mail in search of remark Thursday to the Hershey Co., which owns Paqui.
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The reason for loss of life was decided on Feb. 27, and the loss of life certificates was launched to town clerk’s workplace on March 5, in response to Elaine Driscoll, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Government Workplace of Public Security and Safety.
The Paqui chip, offered individually for about $10, got here wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped field containing the warning that it was supposed for the “vengeful pleasure of intense warmth and ache.” The warning famous that the chip was for grownup consumption solely, and must be stored out of the attain of youngsters.
Regardless of the warning, youngsters have had no drawback shopping for the chips. There have been stories from across the nation of teenagers who’ve gotten sick after collaborating within the chip-eating problem, together with three California highschool college students who have been despatched to a hospital. Paramedics have been referred to as to a Minnesota college in 2022 when seven college students fell unwell after collaborating within the problem.
