A bizarre and potentially dangerous food trend has emerged in
South Korea, where some people are deep-frying and eating toothpicks made of
starch. The toothpicks, which are usually used as a sanitary product to pick up
finger foods, have become a popular snack among some social media users, who
post videos of themselves preparing and consuming the fried toothpicks on
platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The toothpicks are made from corn or sweet potato starch mixed
with sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that gives them a sweet taste. They also have
green food coloring added to them to make them look more appealing. The
toothpicks are biodegradable and dissolve in water, which makes them
environmentally friendly. However, they are not meant to be eaten, as they have
not been verified as safe food products by the authorities.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in South Korea has
issued a stern warning, urging people to stop eating the fried toothpicks, as
they could pose serious health risks. The MFDS said that the toothpicks could
cause choking, intestinal obstruction, or damage to the digestive system.
Moreover, the sorbitol in the toothpicks could cause diarrhea, vomiting, or
abdominal pain if consumed in large amounts. The MFDS also warned that the toothpicks
could be contaminated with harmful substances during the manufacturing or
frying process.
The viral trend of eating fried toothpicks is believed to be
influenced by the popularity of "Mukbang" videos, which show content
creators eating excessive amounts of strange or unusual foods. These videos
have a large fan base in South Korea, where many people enjoy watching others
eat for entertainment or comfort. However, the MFDS has advised people to
refrain from following such trends blindly, and to check the safety and quality
of the food they consume.
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