Silver sprinkles are a popular addition to our holiday treats, such as sugar cookie snowflakes and gingerbread men, but just because they're sparkly doesn't mean they're good for you.
The Food and Drug Administration says silver sprinkles, or dragées, simply aren't edible.
They rose to popularity in the 1970s, and even back then the FDA asserted they were a decorative, non-food item, as they are coated in metal to give them their sheen.
California is the only state that has banned the sale of the silver dragées, since a lawsuit in 2003 purported they were harmful if ingested.
If your Christmas confectionary plans revolved around decorating with the elegant silver dragées, fear not: the Baker's Kitchen confirms that they are fine to ornament treats with, but should be removed before eating.