US teen dies after taking part in 'spicy chip challenge': Autopsy

NEW DELHI: A teenager from the United States died of cardiac arrest after participating in a social media challenge that dared people to consume a very spicy tortilla chip, as confirmed by an autopsy on Thursday.
Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old from Massachusetts, died in September after taking part in the so-called "one chip challenge" -- which involved a single chip produced by Paqui, dusted with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.
The challenge has appeared in various versions over the years, with the peppers changing every time.
The local chief medical examiner concluded that Harris died of cardiac arrest after consuming food containing a significant amount of capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, according to the autopsy report viewed by AFP.
The autopsy also determined that the teenager had an enlarged heart, which might have played a role in his passing.
Days after his death, Paqui removed the product -- packaged in a coffin-shaped box with a red skull and marked "extreme heat" -- from store shelves.
In California, three young people were admitted to the hospital after participating in the challenge, and seven became ill in Minnesota for the same cause, as reported by the media.
(With inputs from agencies)