Young people treated for mild symptoms after spicy food challenges in Kokkola

During the summer, the Central Hospital of Kokkola in Finland treated young people who experienced mild symptoms after consuming excessive amounts of spicy food. Dr. Tomas Björk, the chief physician of the emergency department, noted that a group of friends decided to test who could eat the most chili seasoning, which resulted in stomach pain.

Excessive consumption of very spicy food can lead to capsaicin poisoning. The Finnish Food Authority has not received reports of any capsaicin poisoning incidents in Finland. Symptoms of capsaicin poisoning include irritation of mucous membranes, nausea, a burning sensation in the stomach, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and elevated blood pressure, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. Milder symptoms, such as stomach cramps, heartburn, and gas, can also occur.

For mild stomach issues, antacids can be attempted, but if over-the-counter products do not help, it is advised to seek emergency care. Social media continues to circulate challenges, such as eating spicy noodles or sauces without drinking anything in between. Dr. Björk warns that such challenges are rarely advisable for health.

He suggests that parents discuss food consumption and challenges with their children, emphasizing an open, non-judgmental conversation. The risk of poisoning relates to food with a total capsaicin content exceeding 11.7 milligrams. Reports from the EU indicate cases of children and teens experiencing poisoning after consuming a single extremely spicy chip as part of a challenge.

In Finland, the Hot Chip Challenge chips were removed from the market due to dangerously high capsaicin levels, recorded between 11.8 and 59.3 milligrams. Similarly, in June, Denmark recalled the Samyang Buldak 3 x Spicy & Hot Chicken noodle product, which contained 19.1 milligrams of capsaicin. The product was temporarily banned in Finland but was released at the end of July, as it has not caused poisoning elsewhere in Europe.