Ever felt a strong desire to have a nibble on a green needle? The Belgian food agency felt compelled to warn citizens of the dangers of eating their Christmas tree. The curious warning prompted headlines worldwide, with news outlets ranging from the New York Times to the Times of India covering the story. Why are Belgians suddenly at risk of snacking on their spruces?

Though it might sound as if the country is on the brink of famine, the warning actually came after the city of Ghent suggested that the needles could be processed into sauces or butter, as a more sustainable way of disposing of Christmas trees. Belgium's food agency was less enamoured by the creative recycling method, however, warning against the risks of ingesting toxic pesticides.