Current TikTok Challenge
October 21, 2022
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Pacqui "One Chip Challenge"
October 21, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have been made aware of a social media movement that encourages students to participate in a “One Chip Challenge”. Some students across the nation have become very ill, and in some cases were sent to the hospital as a result of this challenge due to a reaction to the extremely high Scoville Heat Unit measurements of this chip.
According to the National Poison Control Center, “The Paqui One Chip Challenge is a social media challenge that involves consumption of a spicy tortilla chip. The chip contains capsaicin, a compound found naturally in chili peppers. Capsaicin consumption typically causes mouth and throat pain but can also result in more serious health problems including heart attack and esophageal damage”.
The Paqui chip company’s disclaimer states that the chip “should not be ingested by individuals who are sensitive to spicy foods, have allergies to peppers, nightshades, or capsaicin, and those who are minors, are pregnant or have any medical conditions”.
The side effects caused by the pepper dust, the same ingredient in pepper spray, include blue tinged vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Other serious side effects include burning in eyes, nose and throat, coughing, trouble breathing, sweating and mouth pain. This challenge is a serious health and safety concern for our students so we ask that students not bring these Paqui chips into school buildings.
Recently, several FPS students participated in the challenge and became ill. While those students did recover, Framingham Public Schools urges families to speak with their children about the dangers of participating in this “One Chip Challenge”, as well as other dangerous social media challenges. Keeping your children safe at school is our top priority. Please talk with your child and encourage them to not participate in any challenges that are potentially dangerous to their health and well-being.
For more information regarding the potential dangers of this challenge please visit https://www.poison.org/articles/is-the-one-chip-challenge-dangerous.
Respectfully,
Courtney Balacco
Director of Health and Wellness
Aurelia Medina
District Nurse Leader
Additional Resources
Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok
With so many social networks to keep track of, it's not surprising if your kid's obsession with the TikTok app leaves you scratching your head. So what is it exactly? TikTok is a free social media app that lets you watch, create, and share videos -- often to a soundtrack of the top hits in music -- right from your phone. (Article from Common Sense Media)
Is the One Chip Challenge dangerous?
The Paqui One Chip Challenge is a social media challenge that involves consumption of a spicy tortilla chip. The chip contains capsaicin, a compound found naturally in chili peppers. Capsaicin consumption typically causes mouth and throat pain but can also result in more serious health problems including heart attack and esophageal damage. (Article from Poison.org)
Facebook, Instagram, and Social
Please take a look at Common Sense Media's social media guide for parents. It contains tips, advice, and the latest research to navigate the social media landscape and help keep your kids' online interactions safe.
The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook, Twitter, and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.