Parents warned about 'One Chip Challenge.' What happened when a group of students tried it
HOLLISTON — Ten days after a Worcester teen died under circumstances that may be related to the so-called "One Chip Challenge," several students at the Robert Adams Middle School experienced discomfort earlier this week after participating in the same activity.
Approximately 10 students participated in the challenge — an online effort to endure the effects of a fiery tortilla chip by not drinking or eating anything for as long as possible after consuming the chip — and experienced "physical distress" afterward, according to a message sent to parents from Adams Middle School Principal David Jordan.
"All students who ate or touched the chip were monitored by the nursing staff and picked up by their families," Jordan added in his message, which is also posted on Holliston Public schools' website.
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Jordan's message added that the school's nurse recommended that students visit an emergency room.
In a separate message sent by Superintendent of Schools Susan Kustka and which is also posted on the district website, none of the students became seriously ill.
A person who answered the phone at the Adams Middle School declined to comment on Friday when a Daily News reporter called. A receptionist at the superintendent's office told the reporter she would "let the appropriate people know" of the inquiry.
Kustka and Jordan did not respond to emailed requests for comment.
Both Jordan's and Kustka's messages made note of the death of 14-year-old Harris Wolobah, of Worcester, on Sept. 1. A family member of Wolobah's, in a GoFundMe post, cited the chip challenge as a possible cause. While the cause of death remains under investigation, the Worcester County's District Attorney's Office is stressing that people should avoid the challenge.
"The Worcester County District Attorney's Office would like to remind parents to research and discuss with your children about the One Chip Challenge," Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. wrote on social media.
What is the One Chip Challenge?
The One Chip Challenge involves eating an exceptionally spicy tortilla chip, marketed for its high-rated hot peppers, and then measuring how long it takes someone to reach for something to drink.
The maker of the chip, Austin, Texas-based Paqui, does not have an official Scoville rating — a measurement of spiciness; however, the seasoning used in the chip uses two of the hottest peppers available: Carolina Reaper peppers (1.7 million Scoville units) and Naga Viper peppers (1.4 million Scoville units).
Jalapeño peppers range from 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville units, while cayenne peppers, commonly used in buffalo sauce, range from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units.
"Paqui, the chip used in the challenge, contains very high levels of capsaicin, which has been found to cause esophageal damage, heart problems and restrict breathing at the levels in the chip," Jordan's message said.
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Paqui, is currently working to remove the chips from the shelves.
"The Paqui One Chip Challenge is intended for adults only, with clear and prominent labeling highlighting the chip is not for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods or who has food allergies, is pregnant or has underlying health conditions," a statement on the company's website says. "We have seen an increase in teens and other individuals not heeding these warnings. As a result, while the product continues to adhere to food safety standards, out of an abundance of caution, we are actively working with our retailers to remove the product from the shelves."
Jordan's message concludes by asking parents to monitor students' social media presence.
"I would highly discourage your student from having a TikTok, SnapChat or similar social media account due to the increasing amount of unsafe challenges that our youth are being exposed to," the principal wrote. "Student safety is of our utmost concern at Holliston Public Schools."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: One Chip Challenge: Holliston students try internet fad, get sick
