The Silver Trap: Dangers of Consuming Edible Foil on Mithai and Snacks

Diwali lights twinkled across balconies, laughter echoed through the hallways, and plates of kaju katli and gulab jamun were passed around, each topped with a delicate shimmer of silver foil. In homes across India, silver-coated sweets symbolise luxury, celebration, and cultural pride. For children, the sparkling layer is part of the magic. It looks beautiful, tastes sweet (or so they think), and is eaten without question. But beneath this shiny surface lies a layer of concern.

Is that foil really silver? And even if it is it safe to eat?

Many parents are now beginning to wonder: could something so traditional pose a hidden risk to growing bodies?

Known as vark, this paper-thin foil is traditionally made by pounding pure silver into sheets so fine they can disintegrate on the tongue. In Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine, silver has been used in trace amounts for centuries for its antibacterial and cooling properties.

When made correctly, pure silver foil is considered safe in very small quantities and even holds some therapeutic value. However, the issue lies not in the silver itself but in how it’s made, handled, and used today.

Not all that glitters is safe. In cheaper or mass-produced sweets, the foil may not be pure silver. It could contain:

According to the Journal of Food Protection, unregulated edible foils sold in local markets were found to contain up to 30% non-silver metals, especially in unbranded or street-sold snacks.

Traditionally, vark was made by placing silver between leather pouches (often of animal origin) and pounding it into thin sheets. Today, in some areas, low-cost processes still use unsanitary, outdated methods, raising the risk of:

In a 2016 investigation cited by the FSSAI, some manufacturers were found using aluminium in place of silver and storing foil in non-sterile conditions, leading to contamination of sweets.

Children’s bodies are more sensitive to contaminants. While minute traces of pure silver are generally excreted without harm, prolonged or repeated ingestion of impure foil can:

Pediatric toxicology reports have linked heavy metal exposure in early childhood with long-term effects on neurodevelopment, though only at high or chronic doses. Still, the precautionary principle applies particularly for very young children.

Despite these risks, it’s important to acknowledge that silver foil has deep cultural significance. In Indian households, serving sweets topped with vark is associated with prosperity, purity, and celebration.

So rather than reject the tradition altogether, families can be empowered to make safer, smarter choices. After all, preserving culture and protecting health can go hand in hand.

It’s easy to worry about every shiny thing a child eats, and rightly so. But with the right information, families don’t need to choose between tradition and safety.

In fact, many Indian chefs and food innovators are now offering foil-free gourmet sweets, using natural decorations like rose petals, pistachio dust, or saffron strands, all safe, edible, and beautiful.

Silver foil on sweets may be wrapped in beauty and tradition, but when misused or poorly manufactured, it can carry invisible risks, especially for children. Thankfully, the solution isn’t to abandon this cherished custom, but to approach it with care, awareness, and trust in reliable sources. With the right choices, Indian families can continue to pass on festive joy and not hidden toxins to the next generation. Let our celebrations sparkle, not our concerns.