“Once, abu al-Hassan (a.s.), had lunch with me. When lunch was complete, toothpicks were brought and I asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what are the limits of toothpicks?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O Fadl, whatever remains in your mouth when you turn your tongue on it you can eat it; but whatever does not come out with the tongue, then take it out with a toothpick; and you have the choice to eat or throw it away.’”