Why this new $35 Aussie burger needed permission from the federal government to be released: ‘Truly wild’

An Australian burger chain has launched the country’s spiciest burger, and it’s so hot they needed government permission to release it.

Burger Urge’s $35 Scorpion Death Wish burger will soon be available across their 39 outlets, including the Gold Coast, Cairns, Glendale NSW and Wodonga VIC.

The burger is made with a bright red bun, two broken beef patties, Moruga scorpion chili puree, a drizzle of ‘scorpion death wish’ sauce, jalapenos, cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomato and an edible Asian forest scorpion.

The import of the latter required permission from the federal government.

The Moruga pepper comes from Trinidad and has five times the heat of the humble habanero pepper.

A shackled Australian citizen has released the country’s spiciest burger – and it’s so hot they needed federal government permission to release it

Burger Urge’s Scorpion Death Wish burger will soon be available across their 39 outlets including the Gold Coast, Cairns, Glendale NSW and Wodonga VIC

Paul Bosland, director of the Chile Pepper Institute in New Mexico in the US, describes the experience of eating this particular chilli as ‘not bad at first’, but then ‘the heat builds and builds’ until it becomes ‘pretty nasty’ .

On Saturday 15 and Saturday 22 June, customers can indulge themselves during the Scorpion Death Wish Challenge.

To participate, participants must be 18 years or older and register online. Goggles and gloves are provided, but the burgers themselves are limited, so it’s first come, first served.

Although chili is packed with vitamin C and has anti-inflammatory health benefits, the downside of consuming too much can be nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Those thinking about using their digestive tract for the challenge may want to consider keeping one (or three) of Burger Urge’s popular and less controversial drinks on hand

Scorpion also has the potential to improve your health, with practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine using it to treat pain and spasms.

Many of the burger joint’s fans clearly stayed away, with one exclaiming, “You’re on your own.”

However, a few made no exception to the extreme elements of the burger and only wanted to know if a gluten-free or halal option was available.

Those thinking about taking on the challenge may want to consider stocking up on one of Burger Urge’s less controversial drinks, like their peanut butter and Nutella shake with whipped cream, to tone down the spice.

If that is even possible.