Health Warnings Issued Over Viral Fried Toothpick Trend

Despite warnings from South Korea and China, the trend of eating deep-fried starch toothpicks, popularized by influencers, continues to spread.

South Korea's Food and Drug Safety ministry has issued a warning against eating fried toothpicks, a trend that has gone viral on social media.
The toothpicks are made from biodegradable starch, often colored green, and are typically used for hygiene purposes, not consumption.
The toothpicks contain an ingredient called sorbitol, which can lead to vomiting, inflammation, and diarrhea if overconsumed.
Despite the warning, the trend has spread to China, prompting health officials there to also issue a warning.
The trend was popularized by influencers who shared videos of themselves eating the deep-fried toothpicks on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.