A company named Kitchen Idea said Wednesday it began sales of children’s spoons and chopsticks specially designed for hygiene purposes.

A curve in the middle keeps the spoon head and tips of chopsticks from touching the table, preventing contact with germs and dirt.

The new children’s cutlery sets made of stainless steel come in three different designs priced at 6,000 won or 7,000 won per pair. Spoon-and-chopstick sets for adults are also available.

Kitchen Idea has applied for a patent for the curved spoons and chopsticks, which have been chosen as souvenirs for the 2012 Yeosu Expo.

“Tables have twice as many germs compared to cutting boards, according to data released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and leaving napkins under spoons in restaurants is unhygienic as the napkins often contain florescent substances harmful to the human body,” a company official said.

The “hygiene” spoons and chopsticks will be sold at discounted prices by the end of this month on online store G-market.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)