Don't eat fried toothpicks!!

The government in South Korea is telling people not to eat fried toothpicks because of a trend on TikTok. In South Korea, many people enjoy watching videos online where others eat different foods. A new trend involves eating toothpicks that are usually made from corn starch or sweet potato. These toothpicks are deep-fried, making them look like green, curly fries. Videos of people eating them have become very popular on social media. 

However, the government is concerned about the safety of eating these fried toothpicks. They say that the safety of these toothpicks as food has not been confirmed. The toothpicks are often found in Korean restaurants and can be used to pick up finger foods. They are also seen as environmentally friendly and can be easily broken down by nature. The green color comes from food coloring added to make them look appealing.

The government warns that an ingredient called sorbitol is used in the toothpicks. While it's not harmful in small amounts, eating too much of it can lead to problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and inflammation.

People in South Korea enjoy online eating shows called Mukbang, where individuals eat large amounts of food or try unique dishes. It's even mentioned that children are asking for toothpick fries because of this trend.

This isn't the first time that a TikTok trend has caused concerns. Last year, doctors warned against putting castor oil on eyes, as claimed in viral videos, and a fire department had to caution against using filters that make appliances seem to catch fire in videos.