MA DA Warns Parents About 'One Chip Challenge' After Worcester Teen's Death

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester County's top law enforcement official is warning parents about the viral "One Chip Challenge" after a 14-year-old from Worcester possibly died after consuming an extremely spicy chip last week.

Autopsy results were still pending as of Wednesday, but the family of Harris Wolobah said the teen took the chip challenge shortly before his unexpected death Friday. The challenge, promoted by snack maker Paqui, encourages consumers to wait as long as possible to seek relief after eating a single chip spiced with chilies that contain high amounts of capsaicin.

"While the investigation into the cause of the teenager’s death in Worcester continues, 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 County DA Joseph Early Jr. said in a tweet thread Wednesday.

Paqui advises only adults should eat its products and partake in the chip challenge. But like other social media challenges, young people have been drawn in by a harmless-sounding stunt tied to internet recognition. Medical professionals say that high amounts of capsaicin can cause damage to the central nervous system, allergic reactions and other harmful effects.

"We urge parents to discuss this with their children and advise them not to partake in this activity. The company warnings state the chips are intended for adult consumption. Other states across the country have seen hospitalizations due to the chip challenge, including teens," Early continued in his thread.

Wolobah was a sophomore at Doherty High School in Worcester. He was known at school as an athlete, and his family described him as "a light that lit up the room" in a GoFundMe appeal.