BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts teenager who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge on social media died in consequence of eating a considerable amount of chili pepper extract and in addition had a congenital heart defect, in accordance with an autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press emerges.
Harris Wolobah, a tenth grader from town of Worcester, died on September 1, 2023 after eating the chip made by Paqui. The explanation for death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest “related to recent ingestion of a dietary substance with a high concentration of capsaicin,” in accordance with the autopsy conducted by the Chief Office of Medical Examiner.
Paqui pulled the product from shelves shortly after Harris' death. The Associated Press emailed the Hershey Co., which owns Paqui, on Thursday in search of comment.
The explanation for death was determined on Feb. 27 and the death certificate was delivered to town clerk's office on March 5, in accordance with Elaine Driscoll, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Despite the warning, children had no problem buying the chips. There have been reports across the country of teenagers becoming unwell after participating within the chip eating challenge, including three California highschool students who were hospitalized. In 2022, paramedics were called to a college in Minnesota when seven students became unwell after participating within the challenge.
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