Is the One Chip Challenge dangerous?

What is the Paqui One Chip Challenge?

The One Chip Challenge is a social media challenge promoted by Paqui, a tortilla chip company. Paqui sold individual packages containing one spicy chip and the label “One Chip Challenge”. The challenge involves eating the single spicy tortilla chip, then waiting as long as possible before eating or drinking anything else. The Paqui website challenged people to wait as long as possible after chip consumption, characterizing those who can last a full hour without eating or drinking as “invincible” (people who eat or drink a minute after eating the chip are dismissed as being “powerless”). Participants in this challenge were also encouraged to post their reactions on social media. 

How hot is the One Chip Challenge?

Because everyone’s sensation of taste is different, the hot and spicy flavor of the One Chip Challenge can vary among individuals. The hot or spicy sensation felt in the mouth and throat after eating chili peppers is due to the presence of capsaicin. The capsaicin content of foods is frequently assessed by using the Scoville heat units (SHU) scale. Bell peppers have zero SHU, while pure capsaicin contains approximately 15 million SHU. The Carolina Reaper pepper contains up to 2.2 million SHU, and the Naga Viper Pepper contains approximately 1.4 million SHU. The high SHU measurements indicate that both of these peppers are quite pungent and irritating to taste.

What is capsaicin?

Capsaicin is a naturally occurring compound that is the active ingredient in chili peppers. Capsaicin may be used by pepper plants as a natural defense against predators and fungal species. Although it is found in nature, capsaicin can also be synthesized through a chemical reaction. It is available in powder, liquid, cream, and spray formulations. Although capsaicin is colorless and odorless, it is highly pungent and irritating to the eyes, skin, and mouth of humans and animals. 

What is capsaicin used for?

Capsaicin is a component of some pepper spray products and bear spray devices and is described as being more irritating than mace. Capsaicin is involved in pain perception in the human body, and repeated applications of capsaicin to the skin can reduce the sensation of pain. Topical capsaicin is available as an arthritis cream and is sometimes also used as a treatment for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a disorder involving recurrent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting in individuals who regularly use cannabis.

What peppers are in the One Chip Challenge?

The spicy peppers included in the One Chip Challenge vary each year. In 2023, the chip contains Carolina Reaper and the Naga Viper peppers. Previous years’ versions have included Sichuan and Scorpion peppers in addition to the Carolina Reaper pepper. 

How long does the One Chip Challenge last?

Because capsaicin is highly irritating, most people will develop immediate irritation of the mouth and throat after consuming capsaicin-containing products such as the chip included in the Paqui One Chip Challenge. The irritating and painful signs and symptoms can last several hours, but can persist for days in some individuals.

What do you eat after the One Chip Challenge?

Because of its chemical composition, milk may be more effective than water in relieving mouth and throat irritation after consumption of capsaicin-containing foods. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching the One Chip Challenge chip, as capsaicin can transfer from your hands to other parts of the body (such as the face and eyes) and cause additional irritation. If capsaicin gets in your eyes, immediately irrigate the eyes with room-temperature water for 15-20 minutes.

Is the One Chip Challenge safe?

People who eat capsaicin-containing products, including tortilla chips featured in the Paqui One Chip Challenge, often experience mouth irritation, pain, or burning, along with intestinal discomfort. Capsaicin consumption can also cause more serious health problems, including shortness of breath, allergic reactions, chest pain, heart palpitations, and even heart attacks or strokes. Consumption of larger amounts of capsaicin can also cause repeated vomiting that can lead to life-threatening esophageal damage. Because of this, people should use caution when consuming foods or products that contain capsaicin. The One Chip Challenge is not recommended for children or teenagers, people that have food allergies, sensitivity to spicy foods, medical problems such as heart and lung disease, or who are pregnant. In September 2023, a 14-year-old boy died hours after taking the One Chip Challenge. 

What if the One Chip Challenge makes me sick?

If you or someone else experiences worrisome symptoms after participating in the One Chip Challenge, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from poison control is available online from webPOISONCONTROL and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD & Maryann Amirshahi, MD

Medical Toxicologists at The National Capital Poison Center

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