Iceland introduce age restriction for 'world's hottest' meals

The supermarket is launching two new products and you will need ID to buy them because of their spice levels

UK's first age-restricted ready meals launched by Iceland featuring world's hottest chilli

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For those who like their food with a fiery kick, Iceland Foods is launching two new ready meals made with the world's hottest pepper, Pepper X, so spicy that the company has enforced an over-18s only policy for purchasing them. Pepper X rates at an eye-watering 2.69 million on the Scoville scale, which makes it more than 53,000% hotter than your everyday jalapeno.

The supermarket giant is rolling out the red-hot Chicken Tikka Masala and a blisteringly spicy Chilli Mac and Cheese, marking Iceland as the first UK retailer to introduce an age restriction for ready meal purchases. Iceland staff are being briefed and will be keeping a vigilant watch for any underage spice seekers, standing ready to request ID at the tills, reports the Mirror.

Commenting on the fiery launch, Iceland Foods' head development chef Matthew Worsley 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.

"With intense heat comes great responsibility, so to ensure only the most experienced spice enthusiasts can take on the challenge, we've decided to limit sales to customers aged 18 and over."

Pepper X, which has become the standout feature of these new Iceland meals, is the creation of Smokin' Ed Currie, the brains behind the notorious Carolina Reaper.

The Pepper X chilli, which was crowned the World's Hottest Chilli by Guinness World Records in 2023, was only attempted by five brave souls last year. Until now, this lethal pepper has only been available in sauce form.

From Thursday, October 10, select Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores will start stocking new Pepper X fiery meals. By Monday, October 14, these spicy dishes, priced at £4 each, will be available across all Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores, including online.

For more details on the product offerings of Iceland and The Food Warehouse, visit www.iceland.co.uk or www.thefoodwarehouse.com.

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