A health warning from South Korea’s food ministry has urged people not to eat fried toothpicks made of starch in a shape resembling curly fries, after the practice went viral in social media posts.
Video clips showing people consuming the deep-fried starch toothpicks with seasoning such as powdered cheese have racked up thousands of likes and shares on TikTok and Instagram.
“Please do not eat (them).”Videos of the toothpicks, a sanitary product, being fried in oil and eaten were going viral, it added.
Often used in restaurants in South Korea, they can also be used to pick up finger foods.
“It’s very crispy,” one TikTok user said in a video, while crunching up fried toothpicks.
Persons:
toothpicks, “
Organizations:
Ministry of Food and Drug
Locations:
TikTok, South Korea