Two major online marketplaces, Amazon and eBay, have taken swift action to remove a super-hot tortilla chip, associated with the tragic death of an American teenager, from their platforms. The product in question, known as the “One Chip Challenge,” has stirred controversy and raised concerns about its safety.

The parents of 14-year-old Harris Wolobah, who tragically lost his life last week, believe that participating in the One Chip Challenge was a contributing factor in their son’s death. While the official cause of death has not been confirmed, the grieving parents are adamant that the challenge should be banned.

The One Chip Challenge involves consuming a single tortilla chip, sold in a coffin-shaped box, containing a blend of what is claimed to be “the hottest peppers available.” It has gained notoriety for its extreme spiciness, attracting participants from around the world who test their tolerance to its heat.

In response to concerns raised about the challenge, it was recalled in the United States, where it had been widely sold. However, imported versions of the product from global sellers continued to be available for purchase.

Amazon has now announced that it will remove the One Chip Challenge from its websites in Britain, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The decision came after BBC Newsbeat contacted the company regarding the product. Additionally, Amazon plans to contact buyers who have already purchased the product to alert them about the US product recall.

An eBay spokesperson emphasised that user safety is a “top priority” for the platform and confirmed that they had removed sale listings for the One Chip Challenge. The spokesperson further stated that eBay would closely monitor the site and promptly remove any other listings if they were to reappear.

This swift response from both Amazon and eBay reflects their commitment to consumer safety and highlights the seriousness of the concerns surrounding the One Chip Challenge. As investigations into the tragic incident continue, the actions taken by these online marketplaces aim to prevent any further potential harm associated with the product.

In a separate effort to reduce unnecessary waste, UK supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has announced its decision to replace use-by dates with best-before dates on its own-brand milk range. This initiative, set to begin in the new year and be completed by the end of February 2024, is aimed at curbing the disposal of milk that has passed its use-by date.

Research conducted by the anti-waste charity WRAP revealed that over 490 million pints of milk are discarded each year, mainly due to it exceeding its use-by date. This shift to best-before dates will empower consumers to exercise judgment and use milk beyond the specified date, contributing to a reduction in milk wastage and greater sustainability.

Finally, as an interest rate rise looms in the coming month, a poll conducted by Which?’s Consumer Insight Tracker has found that around 80% of mortgage owners and renters are concerned about housing costs. This level of concern is the highest recorded since the survey’s inception in 2013. The survey indicates that the rise in housing cost concerns is a result of steadily increasing interest rates over the past two years.

While housing cost worries have surged, the number of people missing mortgage or rental payments has remained relatively stable, with approximately 630,000 households missing such payments in the month to August 10. Additionally, 2.2 million households missed or defaulted on essential payments like housing, bills, loans, or credit card payments during the same period, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many in the current economic climate.