Paqui Pulls ‘One Chip Challenge’ Products Following Massachusetts Teen’s Death
Written by 1.02010 on September 11, 2023
The chip brand acknowledged the decision in an online statement on Thursday.
Paqui reiterated that the “One Chip Challenge is meant for adults only” before declaring, “We have seen an increase in teens and other individuals not heeding these warnings.”
On account of this observation, the brand decided to remove the product from stores “out of an abundance of caution.”
“While the product continues to adhere to safety standards, out of an abundance of caution, we are actively working with our retailers to remove the product from shelves.” Additionally, a Paqui spokesperson told PEOPLE, “We care about all of our consumers and have made the decision to remove the product from shelves.”
The decision follows Wolobah passing away shortly after eating a super-spicy Paqui chip at school last Friday (Sept. 1). The single-serving product is intended for adults to consume before seeing how long they can go without quenching the burn with food or water.
After the 14-year-old ingested the chip, he reportedly fainted before a school nurse sent him home. Later that evening, Wolobah died, though an autopsy hasn’t officially confirmed the cause of death.