The One Chip Challenge is a product of Paqui, a tortilla chip brand specializing in spicy flavors. The challenge involves eating a single chip coated with seasoning from two of the hottest peppers in the world: the Carolina Reaper and the Naga Viper. The chip is sold in a coffin-shaped package, turning the eater’s tongue blue. The challenge is to see how long one can endure the intense heat and pain without drinking or eating anything.
What is the One Chip Challenge
The One Chip Challenge was launched in 2016 and has been popular among spicy food lovers and social media influencers who want to test their limits and share their reactions online. According to Paqui’s website, the challenge is intended for adults and not for anyone sensitive to spicy foods has food allergies, is pregnant, or has underlying health conditions.
How hot is the One Chip Challenge
The One Chip Challenge is extremely hot, as it contains two peppers that rank very high on the Scoville scale, which measures the spiciness of a pepper. The Carolina Reaper is around 1.7 million units on the Scoville scale, while the Naga Viper is around 1.4 million units. To put this into perspective, a jalapeño pepper averages 3,500 to 8,000 units on the same scale.
The heat from the One Chip Challenge can cause various physical reactions, such as sweating, tears, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and difficulty breathing. Some people may experience more severe symptoms, such as chest pain, fainting, or allergic reactions. The heat can also last for hours after eating the chip, depending on the individual’s tolerance and metabolism.
Why is the One Chip Challenge being discontinued
The One Chip Challenge is being voluntarily removed from shelves by Paqui after a tragic incident in Massachusetts on September 1, 2023. A 14-year-old boy named Harris Wolobah died after eating a chip his friend gave him at school. He fainted twice and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of his death has not been confirmed or made public yet, but his family believes that the chip may have triggered a fatal reaction.
Paqui expressed condolences to the family and said it is working with its retailers to remove the product from stores. The company also said that it had seen an increase in teens and other individuals not heeding the warnings on the package and consuming the chip without proper caution or supervision.
What are some tips for surviving the One Chip Challenge
The One Chip Challenge is not for everyone and should be taken seriously. If you decide to try it, here are some tips to help you survive:
- Read and follow the instructions and warnings on the package carefully.
- Do not eat the chip if you have any medical conditions or allergies that spicy foods may affect you.
- Do not eat the chip if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Do not eat the chip if you are under 18 or without adult supervision.
- Do not eat more than one chip at a time or multiple chips in a row.
- Wear gloves when handling the chip, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or other sensitive areas.
- Have some milk, ice cream, yogurt, or other dairy products ready to help neutralize the heat.
- Have some antacids or painkillers ready to help ease any discomfort.
- Have some water or other fluids ready to help prevent dehydration.
- Have a phone nearby to call for help if needed.
- Do not attempt any physical activity or drive after eating the chip.
Is there any alternative to the One Chip Challenge
If you are looking for a spicy snack that is less risky than the One Chip Challenge, Paqui offers other products that are still hot but more manageable. For example, you can try their Haunted Ghost Pepper chips, made with ghost peppers that are around 1 million units on the Scoville scale. You can also try their Fiery Chile Limón chips, made with cayenne peppers of around 50,000 units on the Scoville scale.
Paqui also makes other flavors that are not spicy at all, such as Nacho Cheese Especial, Zesty Salsa Verde, and Cool Salsa Verde. You can find these products on their website or at various retailers across North America.
Conclusion
The One Chip Challenge is a product that has gained popularity among spicy food enthusiasts and thrill-seekers who want to test their limits and have some fun. However, it also poses serious health risks and should be consumed with extreme caution and responsibility. Paqui is discontinuing the One Chip Challenge after the tragic death of a teenager who ate the chip at school. If you are looking for a spicy snack that is safer and more enjoyable, you can try Paqui’s other products that are less hot but still flavorful.
