Trend of Cooking Recipes Using Starch Toothpicks
MFDS "No Verification of Food Safety"
Amid the trend among the MZ generation of frying and eating starch toothpicks on social networking services (SNS), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has firmly stated that "starch toothpicks are not food" and has taken urgent regulatory measures.
On the 23rd, the MFDS issued an urgent press release containing regulatory information regarding the recently popular 'fried starch toothpicks.' The MFDS stated, "Starch toothpicks are classified as sanitary products, and their safety is managed by setting standards and specifications for ingredients, manufacturing methods, and usage purposes. However, since their safety as food has not been verified, consumption is not advisable."
Recently, cooking recipes using starch toothpicks have been actively shared on YouTube, SNS, and other platforms, especially among young people. The main ingredient of starch toothpicks is starch, which, when fried in cooking oil, expands more than threefold, resulting in a crispy texture similar to commercially sold snacks. Those who shared starch toothpick recipes showed how they boiled starch toothpicks in hot water to make pasta or fried them in oil and sprinkled cheese powder, hot sauce, and other toppings before eating.
A university student, Mr. A, who said he had actually tried eating fried starch toothpicks, said, "I followed the trend because it was popular these days, but I didn't think it would be problematic. I think the problem is that celebrities make dangerous behaviors into trends. If there had been no sanctions, it would have continued to be popular."
The MFDS stated, "We will strengthen publicity to ensure the proper use of sanitary products in the future and create an environment where sanitary products can be consumed safely."
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