14-year-old boy named Harris Wolobah died after consuming 'extremely hot chip' at school
Harris had enlarged heart and congenital heart defect called myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery
Large doses of capsaicin can increase heart pressure and be dangerous for individuals with congenital heart defects
Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed death caused by ingesting food substance with high capsaicin concentration
Paqui's One Chip Challenge chip, seasoned with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers, led to Harris' death
A tragic incident has been reported where a 14-year-old boy named Harris Wolobah from Massachusetts died after consuming a snack labeled 'extremely hot chip' at school. The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that Harris died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by ingesting a food substance with high capsaicin concentration. The exact cause of death was deemed to be in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration. It is important to note that Harris had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect called myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery, which was not known to his family before his death.
The snack in question was part of Paqui's One Chip Challenge, a marketing campaign involving eating a single spicy tortilla chip seasoned with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers. The company has since pulled the chips off the shelves following increased reports of teens not heeding warnings. Large doses of capsaicin can increase how the heart squeezes, putting extra pressure on the artery, which can be dangerous for individuals with congenital heart defects.
Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in chili peppers and is responsible for their spicy heat. Consumption of larger amounts of capsaicin can cause more serious health problems including chest pain, heart palpitations, and even heart attacks. Consumption of the One Chip Challenge chip has led to one reported death, highlighting the potential dangers associated with consuming large quantities of capsaicin.
It is important to note that Paqui's product clearly states that it is not intended for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods. However, there have been increased reports of teen usage of the product. The company has discontinued the One Chip Challenge following Harris's death.
In conclusion, a 14-year-old boy named Harris Wolobah from Massachusetts died after consuming a snack labeled 'extremely hot chip' at school. The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that Harris died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by ingesting a food substance with high capsaicin concentration. It is important to exercise caution when consuming foods or products that contain capsaicin, especially for individuals with congenital heart defects.
Harris had a congenital heart defect called myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery
Large doses of capsaicin can increase how the heart squeezes, putting extra pressure on the artery
Paqui voluntarily removed the product from shelves and discontinued the One Chip Challenge following increased reports of teens not heeding warnings
Accuracy
Harris died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration
Capsaicin is the component that gives chile peppers their heat
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on a teen's death after participating in a spicy chip challenge, but it also mentions the teen had a heart condition. The author does not make it clear whether the heart condition was directly related to the chip consumption or if it was a contributing factor. This is an example of selective reporting as the author only reports details that support their position (the chip being dangerous) while omitting information that may contradict it (the teen having a pre-existing heart condition).
Harris's death spurred warnings from Massachusetts authorities and physicians, who cautioned that eating such spicy foods can have unintended consequences.
Despite the warning, children had no problem buying the chips, and there had been reports from around the country of teens who were taken to a hospital and seven students in Minnesota who were treated by paramedics after taking part in the challenge in 2022.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The article does not demonstrate any clear bias towards a specific political, religious, ideological or monetary position. However, the author does use language that depicts the Paqui chip challenge as an extreme behavior and warns of potential health risks associated with it. The author also mentions previous incidents where teens got sick after participating in the challenge and quotes experts warning against consuming large amounts of capsaicin, especially for those with underlying health conditions.
Despite the warning, children had no problem buying the chips, and there had been reports from around the country of teens who were taken to hospitals after taking part in the challenge.
Spicy food challenges have been around for years, but extremely spicy products created and marketed solely for the challenges – and possible internet fame – represent a more recent phenomenon exacerbated by social media.
The chip came wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box containing the warning that it was intended for the 'vengeful pleasure of intense heat and pain'.
14-year-old Harris Wolobah died of a heart attack after consuming a tortilla chip seasoned with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.
The chief medical examiner's office in Massachusetts confirmed the cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest due to consumption of a food substance with high capsaicin concentration.
Carolina Reaper pepper ranks just under pepper spray on the Scoville scale, making it extremely spicy.
Naga Viper pepper is also very spicy, with around 1.2 million heat units on the Scoville scale.
Accuracy
, The autopsy results revealed Harris died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration.
Harris had a congenital heart defect called myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
A Massachusetts teenager named Harris Wolobah died after participating in the Paqui One Chip Challenge, a marketing campaign involving eating a single spicy tortilla chip seasoned with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.
The autopsy report states that Harris died from cardiopulmonary arrest caused by ingesting a substance with a high capsaicin concentration.
Harris had an enlarged heart and a congenital defect called myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
Paqui pulled the chips off the shelves after Harris’ death.
Accuracy
,
Deception
(0%)
The article makes several deceptive statements and uses sensationalism to grab the reader's attention. The author states that 'A Massachusetts teenager who participated in a social media challenge where users eat a spicy tortilla chip died from eating a large quantity of chile pepper extract.' This statement is misleading as it implies that the social media challenge was directly responsible for the teenager's death, when in fact, he had an enlarged heart and a congenital defect described as 'myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery'. The author also states that 'Paqui pulled the chips off of shelves shortly after Wolobah’s death.' This statement is not true as there is no evidence provided in the article to support this claim. Additionally, the author uses emotional manipulation by stating 'Capsaicin consumption can also cause more serious health problems including chest pain, heart palpitations, and even heart attacks.' This statement is meant to scare readers into believing that consuming spicy foods is dangerous without providing any context or evidence. The article also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the negative consequences of consuming spicy foods without discussing the potential benefits.
Paqui pulled the chips off of shelves shortly after Wolobah’s death.
A Massachusetts teenager who participated in a social media challenge where users eat a spicy tortilla chip died from eating a large quantity of chile pepper extract.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of the incident.
. . . Wolobah died of cardiopulmonary arrest “in the setting of recent ingestion of food substance with high capsaicin concentration.” according to the autopsy from the Chief Office of the Medical Examiner.
After Wolobah’s death, Paqui said its product clearly states it is not intended for children or anyone sensitive to spicy foods.
Any time you’re sort of testing the body to its maximum, bad things can happen.
The chip challenge was one of several involving spicy foods. Others include chili pepper contests and eating chicken wings doused in hot sauce.
Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old boy from Massachusetts, died after consuming a high level of chili pepper extract.
Harris had an enlarged heart and a congenital heart defect, which were not known to his family before his death.
Accuracy
Paqui's One Chip Challenge involved eating a chip containing Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers, and was intended for adults only with clear warnings.
Harris participated in the One Chip Challenge on September 1, 2023, and experienced symptoms shortly after consuming the chip.
Teens had reportedly gotten sick after taking part in the chip-eating challenge before Harris’ death
The product was removed from shelves following reports of minors consuming it against warnings.
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