“Stop eating fried plastic toothpicks”: the South Korean government's alarm does not stop the trend of influencers

We all know the applications of toothpicks in the kitchen, but until now we did not think that they could also be eaten. And fried (green) toothpicks are the latest fashionable culinary idea. This time, South Korea is the epicenter of this indigestible practice that has spread like wildfire among its citizens. The trend has gained popularity thanks to social networks like TikTok. In one country, online food shows called ‘Muckbang’ are very popular, in which users record themselves eating excessive portions of food or unusual dishes.

This viral challenge has caused thousands of people to record themselves while frying and tasting toothpicks as if they were a real snack. Although it may seem surreal, this matter has provoked the intervention of the Ministry of Food of South Korea, which through a publication on the social network its healthiness. But what does a fried toothpick taste like?

To begin with, the toothpicks they have in South Korea are not the same ones we have in Spain. The ones they use there are a characteristic phosphor green color and are made from corn or potato starch. It is a biodegradable and environmentally friendly product in the eyes of the public, which has led thousands of people to make and try their own fried chopstick recipes, as explained by a South Korean tiktoker in the following video by @katchup_news.

When fried, these chopsticks become deformed and their texture is reminiscent of a kind of green potato chips. The Internet users who have joined this viral trend have commented that “they taste like rice cake” or “they are very crunchy” in their clips published on social networks. Now, experts warn that these products are not prepared for human consumption, since the preservatives and additives in their composition can pose a risk to human health.

Health authorities add that toothpicks are health products that are not edible. In short, food safety is managed according to standards and specifications of ingredients and manufacturing methods, a traceability that enables consumption that is not guaranteed in the case of South Korean toothpicks.