Expert warns against extremely hot tortilla chips: consumer protection calls for a ban

Expert warns against extremely hot tortilla chips: consumer protection calls for a ban

According to a report by www.berliner-zeitung.de, the Berlin Consumer Protection Center is calling for a ban on the extremely hot “Hot Chip Challenge” tortilla chips. The concentration of the substance capsaicin, which is responsible for the spiciness, fluctuates extremely. Individual batches have already been recalled and several federal states have banned the chips. The chips have become viral thanks to the “Hot Chip Challenge” on TikTok, in which teenagers eat the spicy chips and film their reactions.

The extreme spiciness of the chips has already sent several young people to the hospital, including a young person with previous illnesses who is in the intensive care unit. The Consumer Protection Center and the Berlin Consumer Center are therefore calling for a ban on the chips because security cannot be guaranteed. The manufacturer also plans to stop exporting the chips for the time being and later offer them again in a weaker form, but with a reward in the form of a smartphone for those who pass the “Hot Chip Challenge”.

With the ban on the “Hot Chip Challenge” and the recall of individual batches, the chips are already having an impact on the market. The negative image of the extremely hot chips and calls for a ban could have long-term effects on popular TikTok trends and the export of the chips. In addition, the health impact on consumers from consuming such spicy foods could lead to increased regulations and stricter food safety standards.

Overall, this could also affect consumer confidence in exotic and extremely spicy foods, reducing demand for such products. If the “Hot Chip Challenge” trend continues, despite the risks and calls for a ban, it could lead to further health problems and negative impacts on Berlin’s healthcare system. It remains to be seen what measures the authorities in Berlin will take to protect consumers.