French health officials warn of rising pepper‑challenge incidents among teens

A social‑media trend known as the “pepper challenge,” inspired by the TV show Hot Ones, encourages participants to eat extremely hot peppers, sauces or ultra‑spicy chips and hold the food in their mouths as long as possible without drinking. The practice has drawn concern from French authorities, including the Ministry of Education, as the new school year approaches.

Data from the French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) show that 124 people contacted poison‑control centres between 2021 and 2025 after experiencing symptoms from consuming very spicy foods. The average age was 18, with adolescents aged 10‑15 accounting for 34 % of cases, and 39 % of the incidents occurred while participants were undertaking a challenge. Reported effects range from facial flushing, sweating and tearing to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in severe cases, cardiovascular complications, sometimes requiring emergency care.