Belgium's food agency has warned people not to eat their Christmas trees after the city of Ghent suggested reusing pine needles in recipes as a way to reduce 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.

Belgium ’s Federal Food Agency on Tuesday warned people to not eat their Christmas trees after a city council suggested recipes to reuse conifers following the holiday season.