South Korea Issues Health Warning Against Eating Fried Starch Toothpicks

The South Korean food ministry has issued a health warning advising against the consumption of fried toothpicks made of starch in a shape resembling curly fries. This comes after the practice gained popularity on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

Safety Concerns Raised

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to express concerns about the safety of these fried toothpicks. They stated that the safety of these toothpicks as food has not been verified and urged people not to eat them.

Videos of the toothpicks being fried in oil and consumed have gone viral, raising concerns about their safety as a sanitary product.

Environmentally Friendly and Biodegradable

The fried toothpicks are made from sweet potato or corn starch and are colored green using food coloring. They are considered environmentally friendly and biodegradable. In South Korea, they are commonly used in restaurants and can also be used to pick up finger foods.

Popularity of Online Eating Shows

South Korea is known for its popular online eating shows, called “Mukbang,” where people consume excessive amounts of food or unusual dishes. These shows have contributed to the viral spread of videos featuring the consumption of fried starch toothpicks.

One TikTok user described the toothpicks as “very crispy” while crunching on them in a video.