A lawsuit has been filed against Hershey, Walgreens, and others following the tragic death of a Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge that went viral on social media. The incident involved Harris Wolobah, a 10th-grade student from Worcester, who passed away on September 1, 2023, after consuming a Paqui chip as part of the manufacturer's 'One Chip Challenge.'
An autopsy revealed that Wolobah died due to cardiopulmonary arrest triggered by ingesting a large amount of chile pepper extract. The autopsy also noted a congenital heart defect in Wolobah, specifically myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
The family's attorney, Douglas Sheff, filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking punitive damages, alleging that the defendants created a dangerous situation by promoting the challenge. Sheff criticized the marketing tactics, stating that the defendants knew the chip was unreasonably dangerous, yet sold it for $10 each.
While Paqui expressed sadness over Wolobah's death, they emphasized that the product was clearly labeled as not suitable for children or individuals with health conditions. The company voluntarily removed the product from shelves in September 2023 following reports of misuse.
Walgreens and Hershey did not immediately respond to the lawsuit. Despite warnings on the packaging, reports emerged of teenagers nationwide falling ill after participating in the challenge. The challenge involved eating the chip and enduring the intense heat without consuming other food or water.
Physicians have cautioned against such challenges, citing potential allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeats, and severe health risks. The lawsuit aims to seek justice for the Wolobah family and raise awareness about the dangers of such extreme food challenges.
