British supermarket giant Iceland is launching the world's spiciest ready meals

The range of two dinners is so hot, Iceland will be asking customers to prove they are over 18 before purchasing, after TikTok spice challenges hospitalised kids

Supermarket Iceland Foods is set to bring out two ready meals containing the world's hottest pepper.

Not for the fainthearted, the spicy dinners are made with Pepper X®, which has 2.69 million Scoville heat units - making it 53,760% hotter than a jalapeño. The two products, Chicken Tikka Masala and Chilli Mac & Cheese, are so hot that Iceland has become the first UK supermarket to introduce an age restriction on ready meals.

To be able to purchase the meals, customers must be able to show ID at the till to prove they are over 18. Matthew Worsley, head development chef at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers love spice, and they are always pushing us to turn up the heat.

"So, this time we have developed a range that will not disappoint. Our Pepper X® range is unlike anything we’ve ever offered to our customers before. It’s intense, it’s fiery and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted."

The age restriction comes after a series of TikTok challenges involving eating spicy foods were undertaken by kids and teens. In November, the 'Hot Chip Challenge', where a single ultra-spicy tortilla chip packaged in a coffin-shaped box is eaten, was banned in Germany in November after five teenagers were hospitalised after consuming the product.

Meanwhile US teen Harris Wolobah, 14, died in September 2023 after taking on the similar One Chip Challenge in the US. Eating large quantities of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilies, can be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. Symptoms include burning and discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure.

The world’s hottest pepper, Pepper X®, which features in Iceland’s new ready meals, was created by Smokin’ Ed Currie, the mastermind behind the infamous Carolina Reaper®. The Pepper X® chilli earned the title of the World’s Hottest Chilli from Guinness World Records in 2023.

Last year, only five daring individuals attempted to handle the lethal pepper, which has only ever been available in sauce form up until now.

The new Pepper X® fiery meals will arrive in select Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores from October 10, with a full rollout by October 14. Both meals will cost £4 each.