South Korea’s food ministry has issued a health advisory cautioning against the consumption of fried toothpicks made of starch, shaped like curly fries, following their viral trend on social media platforms.
Videos showcasing individuals consuming these deep-fried starch toothpicks, often seasoned with powdered cheese, have garnered significant attention on TikTok and Instagram, amassing thousands of likes and shares.
In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety emphasized that the safety of these toothpicks as food items has not been confirmed and urged people not to consume them.
The videos depicted the frying and consumption of these toothpicks, which are sanitary products.
The toothpicks, typically made from sweet potato or corn starch and colored green using food coloring, are perceived as environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
While commonly used in South Korean restaurants and for picking up finger foods, they have gained popularity on social media.
A subculture of online videos known as “Mukbang,” featuring individuals eating excessive amounts of food or unconventional dishes, is particularly popular in South Korea.
In one TikTok video, a user described the fried toothpicks as “very crispy” while crunching on them.
Source-CNN
