South Korean Government Warns People Not to Eat Fried Toothpicks After Trend Goes Viral

South Korea’s government is asking its citizens not to eat fried toothpicks after the trend went viral in the country.

The toothpicks in question are made of starch — not the wooden ones often used in the US, but South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has warned its citizens that the green sanitary sticks, which look like little green curly fries when cooked, are not confirmed as safe to eat.

“Starch toothpicks are not an edible product… their safety as food has not been confirmed,” the ministry said in post on X (formerly Twitter), translated CBS News. “Please don’t eat.”

South Koreans warn citizens not to eat green toothpicks.

MFDS/X

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The trend reportedly became popular after it was seen on social media mukbang shows, a genre of videos in which people are shown eating excessive amounts of food or foods that are considered strange, Reuters reported.

Videos from those shows include people frying small green sticks in pans of oil and adding seasonings like powdered cheese.

IN another social media post on that subject, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said the sticks, which can also be made from sweet potatoes, meet the country’s standards as a hygiene product, but that’s about it.

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Per Reuters, they are often used in South Korean restaurants to take food with your fingers.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education