The brand Paqui has had a hot chip challenge for a few years now, but they have released a new version that’s trending on Tik Tok. It contains two peppers, the Carolina Reaper Pepper, which is around 1.7 million Scoville Units and the Scorpion Pepper which is around 1.2 million Scoville Units. For comparison a common jalapeño is in the range of 2,000 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units.

The chips are very clearly labeled not for children. However, there is not a legal age restriction on buying them.

They also contain a list of medical restrictions and instructions to seek medical assistance if necessary. Several schools across the U.S. have banned them, and multiple people including children have been hospitalized, with at least one minor having a seizure being reported.

I don’t particularly care about adults trying the challenge, but I do think overburdening our emergency systems at a time when many hospitals are so short staffed as it is could be a problem.

Have you/would you try them, or let your child try them?

Should they be legally banned as unsafe, or regulated by age like cigarettes and alcohol?