More than a dozen students hospitalized after falling ill from eating extremely spicy crisps, reportedly distributed by a fellow pupil “for fun,” according to officials in Japan. Rokugo Koka High School in Tokyo sought help on Tuesday lunchtime when 13 girls and one boy, all first-year students, experienced nausea and pain in their stomachs and mouths, as reported by Japan Today, citing the city’s fire department and local police.
The affected students, who were all conscious and had minor symptoms, were among around 30 students who ate the “18+ curry chips” brought to school by one of the pupils. High school in Japan typically begins at age 15.
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Isoyama Corp, the manufacturer of the crisps, issued a statement on Wednesday apologizing for any inconvenience caused and expressing their sincere wishes for the swift recovery of those affected. A video posted by one X user showed him eating one of the crisps, grimacing after swallowing, then collapsing in giddy laughter.
The company’s website warns that individuals under 18 should not consume the “R 18+ curry chips” due to their extreme spiciness and advises spice enthusiasts to eat with caution. The crisps are described as “so spicy that they may cause you pain” and should be avoided by people with high blood pressure, weak stomachs, or cuts on their fingers. Eating them alone is discouraged as consuming too many could lead to diarrhea.
The intense spiciness of the crisps comes from ghost pepper, one of the world’s hottest chilies, sourced from northeastern India. The curry crisps, sold since 2013, are the flagship product of Isoyama Corp’s 18+ food series, as noted by Newsweek. Reports indicate that a male student brought the crisps to school “just for fun.”
