In recent years, many more trends have started from the East compared to about 20 years back.
Trends nowadays are also faster-paced and can explode to a global level.
However, this current trend is certainly one that should not be attempted or followed, as some South Koreans are deep frying their toothpicks and eating them like a snack.
According to the Korea Herald, content creators in the country started showcasing various ways to cook and eat toothpicks. In certain videos, those green toothpicks made of corn starch were deep-fried, while other times, they were used as noodles for instant ramyeon.
Some creators covered them with powdered cheese, and others with a mix of spices. The video with the current highest view count for this trend featured deep-fried toothpicks smothered with cheese sauce.
Taking note of this increasing trend, the South Korean food and drug safety authorities issued a warning asking South Koreans not to eat the toothpicks.
The officials said that toothpicks are considered hygiene items and are not subjected to safety regulations that apply to food products.
Even though the toothpicks are made from potato starch, their safety cannot be guaranteed.
When participating in trends, we should always think twice about the harms that may come our way. Please do not, in any way, attempt to eat toothpicks.
Also read: Foreigners Share Their Disgust Over M’sian Cheese Leleh Platter & Oh No, They Didn’t!