The Belgian Federal Food Agency issued the odd warning after Ghent's local authorities suggested people could reuse pine needles in recipes to avoid waste.

The country’s Federal Food Agency (FASFC) issued the unusual seasonal health warning on Tuesday after Ghent’s local council launched a campaign last week urging people to recycle their Christmas trees in different ways - including eating the conifers.

The council suggested making flavoured butter and soup from the pine needles, which it said was inspired by traditional Scandinavian recipes.

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In response, the FASFC said Christmas trees “are not meant to end up in the food chain” — pointing to the fact that most trees are treated with pesticides and other chemicals.

“What’s more, there is no easy way for consumers to tell if Christmas trees have been treated with flame retardant — and not knowing that could have serious, even fatal consequences,” the agency said in a statement.

“There is no way to ensure that eating Christmas trees is safe - either for people or animals”.