South Korea's food ministry has issued a health warning cautioning against the consumption of fried toothpicks made of starch, especially those shaped like curly fries, following a viral trend on social media platforms.
Videos circulating on TikTok and Instagram showcase individuals indulging in deep-fried starch toothpicks seasoned with ingredients like powdered cheese. These clips have gained widespread attention, accumulating thousands of likes and shares.
In response, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety posted a health advisory on Wednesday via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The statement emphasizes, "Their safety as food has not been verified. Please do not eat (them)." The ministry notes that videos depicting the frying and consumption of these starch toothpicks, which are considered a sanitary product, have become viral.
The toothpicks, typically made from sweet potato or corn starch, are colored green using food coloring. They are promoted as environmentally friendly and biodegradable alternatives. Commonly used in South Korean restaurants, these toothpicks serve the dual purpose of being both practical for picking up finger foods and eco-friendly.
A specific genre of online videos known as "Mukbang," where individuals consume excessive amounts of food or showcase unusual dishes, is popular in South Korea. In one TikTok video, a user remarked, "It's very crispy," while crunching on the fried starch toothpicks.
The health warning underscores the importance of verifying the safety of unconventional food practices that gain popularity on social media, urging the public to exercise caution and refrain from consuming such items.
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