Belgium Warns Public Against Eating Christmas Trees

Ghent's push to recycle conifers into food sparks health concerns over pesticides and chemical treatments.

Belgium's Federal Food Agency issued a warning against consuming Christmas trees, citing safety risks from pesticide and flame-retardant treatments.
The city of Ghent encouraged residents to recycle trees by using pine needles in recipes inspired by Scandinavian traditions, such as flavored butter and soup.
Authorities emphasized that commercially sold Christmas trees are not food-safe and could pose serious health risks, including potential toxicity.
Swedish officials clarified that needles from young, untreated trees may be safely used in small quantities, a practice rooted in Nordic culinary customs.
Ghent has since revised its campaign messaging, shifting focus to Scandinavian practices while warning against eating treated or poisonous tree varieties.