School officials in at least one Kentucky school district are warning parents that the Paqui “One chip challenge” is causing adverse reactions in children.
Paqui, a maker of spicy tortilla chips, advertises the “One chip challenge” with the following statement on its website: “This year’s high voltage chip contains the super-charged Carolina Reaper Pepper and stinging Scorpion Pepper with a shocking twist, it’ll turn your tongue BLUE!”
The company issues the following warning on its website about participating in the challenge: DO NOT EAT IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO SPICY FOODS, ALLERGIC TO PEPPERS, NIGHTSHADES OR CAPSAICIN, OR ARE PREGNANT OR HAVE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. AFTER TOUCHING THE CHIP, WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYES OR OTHER SENSITIVE AREAS. SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY BREATHING, FAINTING OR EXTENDED NAUSEA.
The challenge is being circulated on multiple social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
In Harlan County, over a dozen Cumberland Elementary School children who participated in the challenge had reactions ranging from vomiting, intense abdominal pain, swelling and/or burned lips, and severe burning in the mouth, with one child suffering difficulty breathing, according to the school district.
Paqui clearly states to keep the product out of reach of children. The chip, though, is available at convenience and other stores throughout the U.S.
Click here to see two young adults recording their “One chip challenge” reaction on Twitter.
Harlan County Schools issued the following statement on the incident at the middle school:
Please be aware of a challenge to youth circulating across the country. It is called the “one chip challenge” in which a person eats one extremely spicy tortilla chip.
Several students at one of our schools experienced adverse symptoms after participating in the challenge and consuming only a single chip. While we are concerned this causes disruption to the education process, we are more alarmed by the effects on our students.
We urge you to speak with your children and discourage purchasing and or participating in such a challenge. There are numerous reports that consuming the product has resulted in hospitalization of students in other communities. Participating in challenges and/or exchanging food on school campuses is (sic) a direct violation of school and district policies.
Our goal is to dissuade students from participating in any sort of challenge to keep them safe.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
