South Korea issues a warning on the social media trend of eating fried toothpicks
SOUTH KOREA – The country’s food ministry is cautioning against a social media trend where people eat starch-based fried toothpicks shaped like curly fries.
The country’s food ministry issued a health warning due to the trend gaining popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Videos featuring individuals consuming these deep-fried toothpicks with seasoning, such as powdered cheese, have garnered significant attention.
In a message posted on Wednesday on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety emphasized that the safety of these toothpicks as a food item has not been confirmed, urging people not to consume them. Viral videos depict the process of frying and eating these toothpicks, originally designed for sanitary use.
The toothpicks, crafted from sweet potato or corn starch and colored green with food coloring, are considered environmentally friendly and biodegradable. While commonly used in South Korean restaurants and for picking up finger foods, the ministry’s warning advises against their consumption.
The trend is linked to online eating shows known as “Mukbang,” popular in South Korea, where individuals showcase excessive or unconventional food consumption. In a TikTok video, one user expressed the crispy nature of the fried toothpicks.
Mukbang is a type of online video or live-streaming broadcast where the host, often referred to as a “Mukbanger,” consumes large quantities of food while interacting with the audience. The term “Mukbang” is a combination of two Korean words: “mukja,” which means eating, and “bangsong,” which means broadcast.
During a Mukbang session, the host eats a variety of foods, often from different cuisines, while talking to the audience, responding to comments, and sometimes engaging in other activities like storytelling or performing challenges. Mukbang videos have gained popularity, particularly in South Korea, and have become a global trend on platforms like YouTube and other streaming services.
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