The Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner’s office has determined that the tragic death of Harris Wolobah last September was caused by a heart attack after ingesting a tortilla chip seasoned with an extremely high concentration of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spiciness in chili peppers.
Wolobah, who had a congenital heart defect, was attempting Paqui’s “One Chip Challenge,” which featured the Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.
Following his death, Paqui voluntarily withdrew the product from shelves, emphasizing that it was intended for adults only and carried clear warnings for those sensitive to spicy foods or with underlying health conditions.
Despite adhering to safety standards, the company chose to discontinue the challenge out of caution. The company has also offered to reimburse consumers for any unopened 2023 One Chip Challenge bags.