Supermarket chain Iceland Foods will soon introduce two ready meals featuring the world’s hottest pepper, Pepper X®. These meals, Chicken Tikka Masala and Chilli Mac & Cheese, pack a fiery punch with 2.69 million Scoville heat units, making them significantly spicier than jalapeños.
Due to their intense heat, Iceland Foods will implement an age restriction, requiring customers to show ID proving they are over 18 at the checkout. Matthew Worsley, Iceland Foods’ head development chef, stated that their customers enjoy spicy food and constantly seek more heat. He assured that the new Pepper X® range will meet these expectations, describing it as intense, fiery, and not for the faint-hearted.
The decision to introduce an age restriction follows a series of TikTok challenges where children and teenagers consumed extremely spicy foods. In November, Germany banned the ‘Hot Chip Challenge’ after five teenagers were hospitalised. In a similar incident, Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old from the US, died in September 2023 after participating in the One Chip Challenge. Consuming large amounts of capsaicin, the active component in chillies, poses risks such as burning, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure, particularly for children and the elderly.
Iceland launches two ready meals made with the world’s hottest chilli – and they’re age restricted https://t.co/7cOMjjFFV2
— Glasgow Live (@Glasgow_Live) October 9, 2024
Pepper X®, included in Iceland’s new meals, was developed by Smokin’ Ed Currie, the creator of the Carolina Reaper®. In 2023, it earned the title of the World’s Hottest Chilli from Guinness World Records. Previously, only a few brave individuals had the chance to try Pepper X®, which was available solely in sauce form.
The new meals will be available in select Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores from October 10, with a full rollout by October 14. Each meal will be priced at £4.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What are the new ready meals from Iceland Foods?
Chicken Tikka Masala and Chilli Mac & Cheese with Pepper X®.
How hot is Pepper X® compared to jalapeños?
Pepper X® is 53,760% hotter than a jalapeño.
Why is there an age restriction on these ready meals?
Due to the intense heat and safety concerns, only those over 18 can purchase them.
When will the Pepper X® meals be available in stores?
They will be in select stores from October 10, with a full rollout by October 14.
Who created Pepper X®?
Pepper X® was created by Smokin’ Ed Currie, who also made the Carolina Reaper®.