After posting a video of herself creating a "Snow Salt Chococinno" on Friday, Reese Witherspoon has ignited a contentious discussion about whether snow can be eaten.
She added chocolate syrup, salted caramel sauce, and cold-brewed coffee to the snow she had scraped off the covered grill, and then she exclaimed on TikTok, saying: "Oh my gosh, it's so good".
@reesewitherspoon Snow days were made for Chococinnos ❄️☕️
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But fans weren't so sure.
The actress, 47, responded to the flood of worried comments by creating three separate TikToks to address concerns, where she tried to dispel the rumours about "dirty" snow by heating the snow in a microwave to create clear water.
Is it safe to eat snow? Experts weigh in
According to a 2016 study, snow in cities can absorb the same harmful compounds present in vehicle exhaust.
Research by author Dr Parisa Ariya suggests, “Snowflakes are ice particles with various types of surfaces, including several active sites, that can absorb various gaseous or particulate pollutants.”
She added: "I do not wish to be alarmist. As a mother who is an atmospheric physical chemist, I definitely do not suggest my young kids eat snow in urban areas in general."
Dr Laura T Martin, an assistant professor of paediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, says you should never eat snow that has been ploughed, no matter how clean it appears.
She also cautions against consuming snow that has been collected straight off the ground because it may contain toxins and contaminants.
She said in a blog post on the Nationwide Children's Hospital website: "The safest snow to consume will be the whitest, fluffiest top layer of fallen snow, furthest away from the ground.
"For a bigger serving of snow, safely harvested, place a clean bowl on your picnic table, deck, or similar outside structure. Choose areas that are less likely to be disturbed by backyard critters or exposed to bird droppings. With a decent snowfall, you'll be able to collect snow that is free of dirt and debris, and likely cleaner than snow on the ground."
Researchers in Romania found in 2017 that extremely fresh snow contains very little bacteria, therefore it's advisable to eat it before it's been two days, and to consume it in moderation.
Agreeing with the 2017 research, as long as the snow is "freshly fallen" Madelyn Fernstrom, the health and nutrition editor for NBC News, believes it is ok to eat.
She said: “Can you guarantee any snow will be contaminant-free? No, but the levels will be so tiny. Some research shows that it doesn’t exceed any of the levels for anything else that you find anything in the atmosphere. And so that’s a good thing.”
