"Please Don't Fry or Eat It" The Desperate Plea of the Owner Who Made Starch Toothpicks

'Starch Toothpick Mukbang' Trending on SNS
Food and Drug Safety Ministry and Manufacturer Issue Warnings

Recently, amid warnings from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regarding the trending "starch toothpick mukbang" on social networking services (SNS), toothpick manufacturers have also expressed strong concerns. On the 29th, the YouTube channel 'SBS News' released a video featuring an interview with Mr. A, the president of a toothpick manufacturing company. Mr. A emphasized, "(Toothpicks) are hygiene products. Hygiene products are not meant to be eaten."

[Image source=Online community capture]

Mr. A stated, "Starch toothpicks are eco-friendly products that decompose naturally after use. When they enter food waste and animals consume them, there is no problem at all. The production focuses on this aspect." However, he stressed, "If they are fried or consumed in large quantities as is happening now, we do not know what problems might arise. No related tests have been conducted." Since they were originally produced as hygiene products, no food safety tests have been performed.

He added, "Some say 'It’s good that consumption is increasing,' but that is not true at all. We do not welcome such an increase in consumption," and repeatedly urged, "It is okay if a little is accidentally eaten while using them, but please do not use them intentionally for frying or boiling and eating."

Earlier, videos showing starch toothpicks being cooked and eaten with seasoning like snacks gained attention on SNS. A YouTuber with 4 million subscribers posted a ‘mukbang’ video frying toothpicks and eating them, saying, "It’s really amazing. Is this really edible?" This YouTuber described the fried starch toothpicks as crispy and said, "This really tastes like commercially sold snacks."

Another YouTuber with 900,000 subscribers also filmed the process of coating toothpicks with starch powder, kneading them, boiling in hot water, and then frying, saying, "You say starch toothpicks shouldn’t be eaten? I will make them and try once."

Starch toothpicks are reportedly made from corn or sweet potato starch, sorbitol (a sweetener), coloring agents, and other ingredients. Although the components seem safe for consumption, experts warn that excessive intake of sorbitol can cause digestive tract inflammation such as vomiting and diarrhea. On the 23rd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also emphasized, "Starch toothpicks are not food. Consumption is not advisable, and consumers should exercise caution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.