Heat Safety
& Disclaimer.
This page is the safety document for every superhot-class product Pepper Siege sells. It exists to be read, not skimmed. By purchasing, handling, or consuming any superhot product from Pepper Siege LLC, you confirm that you have read this disclaimer, that you understand the risks described below, and that you accept those risks as your own.
01.Who must not use these products
Some people should not consume capsicum chinense superhot products under any circumstances. The following list is not exhaustive. If you are uncertain, consult a physician before use.
- Minors — anyone under 18, regardless of stated tolerance. Superhot products are sold for adult consumption only.
- Pregnant or nursing individuals — capsaicin crosses into circulation and the literature on fetal and infant exposure is incomplete.
- People with cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, arrhythmia, or recent cardiac events. Capsaicin produces transient cardiovascular stress.
- People with gastrointestinal conditions — including ulcers, severe acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or recent gastrointestinal surgery.
- People with asthma or reactive airway disease — aerosolized capsaicin can trigger acute bronchospasm.
- People taking blood thinners, blood pressure medications, MAO inhibitors, or theophylline — capsaicin can interact with these drug classes.
- Anyone with a known capsicum, nightshade, or pepper allergy.
- People who have not eaten or who are dehydrated — superhot consumption on an empty stomach or in a dehydrated state increases gastrointestinal injury risk.
If any of the above describes you, do not use these products. The brand voice does not negotiate this.
02.Documented risks of superhot consumption
Medical literature documents the following risks in connection with superhot pepper consumption. They are not theoretical. They have produced emergency room visits and hospitalizations in real cases.
- Esophageal injury — including thermal-equivalent burns, severe spasm, and in rare reported cases esophageal perforation.
- Acute gastrointestinal distress — vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, sometimes lasting hours.
- Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) — the so-called "thunderclap headache" associated with sudden capsaicin overload. Documented in the medical literature and produces ER admissions.
- Hypertensive episodes and cardiovascular stress — transient blood pressure elevation, palpitations, and in vulnerable individuals more serious cardiac events.
- Respiratory irritation — including coughing, choking, and acute asthma exacerbation if oils aerosolize during cooking or processing.
- Allergic reactions — ranging from mild oral allergy syndrome to systemic reactions in capsicum-sensitive individuals.
- Skin and eye chemical burns — direct contact with cut surfaces, oils, or contaminated objects can cause prolonged burning, blistering, and in eye contact cases temporary severe pain and corneal irritation.
- Acute psychological distress — panic, sweating, transient confusion, and a sense of impending doom that the medical literature recognizes as a real symptom.
In any of these cases, stop consumption immediately, drink dairy or eat starchy food (water does not help), and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, prolonged, or include chest pain, severe headache, severe vomiting, breathing difficulty, or any vision change. Call emergency services for suspected stroke, heart event, or anaphylaxis.
03.Handling protocol
Capsaicin oils transfer to surfaces, persist on equipment, and contaminate skin for hours after contact. Treat superhot products as a chemical, not a kitchen ingredient. The handling protocol is non-negotiable for whole pods, mash, fermented sauces in bulk, and dried superhot powders.
- Wear nitrile gloves. Latex is permeable to capsaicin oils. Wash gloves under cold water before disposal to remove surface oils.
- Wear eye protection — safety glasses or goggles — when blending, grinding, or processing dried superhots. Aerosolized capsaicin can incapacitate.
- Process with ventilation. Open windows. Run exhaust fans. Avoid recirculating air.
- Do not touch your face, eyes, or mucous membranes during or after handling. Capsaicin-contaminated hands can transfer to eyes for hours after the work is done.
- Wash all equipment thoroughly with hot soapy water, twice. Do not dry-run a coffee grinder or spice mill that has processed superhots without dedicated cleaning.
- Store separately from other ingredients in sealed, clearly-labeled containers. Cross-contamination of mild products with superhot oils is a real and recurring problem.
- Keep away from children, pets, and sensitive household members at all times. A pod left on a counter is an injury waiting to happen.
04.Skin and eye exposure first aid
If capsaicin contacts skin, do not wash with water alone. Water spreads the oil. Use one of the following approaches:
- Wash the affected area with soap, then dish soap (which dissolves oils), then rinse with cold water. Repeat as needed.
- Dairy (milk, yogurt, sour cream) applied to skin and then rinsed off can break the capsaicin-receptor binding and provide rapid relief.
- For severe burning, isopropyl alcohol can dissolve the oil — but only on intact skin, never near the eyes or open wounds.
If capsaicin contacts the eye, do not rub. Rinse copiously with cool water for at least fifteen minutes, holding the eyelid open. If pain persists or vision is affected, seek medical attention. Do not put dairy in the eye.
For ingestion-induced mouth burning, dairy (whole milk, full-fat yogurt) is more effective than water. Starchy foods such as bread, rice, or potato also help. Beer and other alcoholic beverages may worsen the burn by dissolving and spreading the capsaicin further.
05.Storage and disposal
Refrigerate fresh superhot pods in sealed containers, separated from other produce. Freeze for long-term storage. Dried superhot powders should be stored in airtight containers away from light, heat, and other foods. When disposing of superhot scraps, seeds, or processing waste, seal in a bag before placing in trash to prevent oil transfer to other surfaces.
06.Children, pets, and household
Superhot products must be stored out of reach of children and pets at all times. Capsaicin causes severe distress in children well below the threshold that produces only discomfort in adults. Pets — particularly dogs and cats — should never be given superhot products, intentionally or accidentally. The "let's see what happens" video genre is animal cruelty. Pepper Siege does not condone it and our products are not to be used for it.
07.Assumption of risk
By purchasing, accepting delivery of, handling, processing, consuming, or otherwise using any Pepper Siege superhot product, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
- You are at least 18 years of age.
- You have read this disclaimer in full and understand the risks described.
- You voluntarily assume all risks associated with consumption, handling, and use, including the risks specifically described above and any other risks that capsaicin chinense products may pose.
- You are not pregnant or nursing, and you do not have any of the medical conditions listed in section 01, or you have consulted a physician and received clearance.
- You will follow the handling protocols in section 03 and will keep these products away from children, pets, and unconsenting household members.
- You release Pepper Siege LLC, its members, employees, contractors, and agents from any and all liability for injury, illness, distress, property damage, or other harm arising from your consumption, handling, or use of these products, except in cases of demonstrable gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Pepper Siege LLC.
- You agree that any dispute arising from purchase or use of these products will be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, with venue in Frederick County, Maryland.
08.Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Pepper Siege LLC's total liability for any claim arising out of or related to a superhot product is limited to the purchase price paid for the specific product giving rise to the claim. Pepper Siege LLC is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory under which liability is asserted, including negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, or any other theory. Some jurisdictions do not allow such limitations; in those jurisdictions, this limitation applies to the maximum extent permitted.
This disclaimer is in addition to, not in place of, the broader Terms of Service governing all use of the Pepper Siege site and products. Where this disclaimer and the Terms of Service overlap, the more protective provision applies.
09.Reserve tier and Arsenal tier — additional acknowledgment
Pepper Siege Reserve tier and Arsenal tier products represent the most extreme heat in the Pepper Siege product line. Arsenal tier products require a separate signed waiver and acknowledgment of risk before fulfillment. The Reserve tier may, at the founder's discretion, require additional written confirmation. These tiers are not novelty products and are not appropriate gifts for anyone who has not affirmatively requested them and read this disclaimer.
10.Not medical advice
Nothing on this page or anywhere on the Pepper Siege site constitutes medical advice. The information here is intended to inform consumers of risks documented in publicly available medical literature, not to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. If you have any concern about your tolerance, your medical conditions, or your medication interactions, consult a licensed physician before consuming superhot products.
11.Updates to this disclaimer
This disclaimer may be updated as the product line evolves and as Pepper Siege learns more about its customers and the contexts in which products are used. Material changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of Pepper Siege products after a material update constitutes acceptance of the updated disclaimer.
12.Contact
Questions about this disclaimer, about the safety of a particular product, or about whether a specific medical situation contraindicates consumption should be directed to founder@peppersiege.com. We respond personally within two business days.