I scream, you scream, we should all scream NO to 'snow cream'
Snow is essentially a 'chemical soup'
Over the years, we've seen some pretty questionable viral trends. Who could forget the milk crate challenge or the DIY lip-plumping Kylie Jenner lip challenge? Well, now Mother Nature is stepping in to provide us with another potentially hazardous trend: snow cream.
Snow cream is the latest viral sensation that's got many people on a sugar high. But before you go running outside to try it, let's take a closer look at this not-so-perfect recipe.
First, what is 'snow cream'?
Social media users, including some influential celebrities, have recently been seen showcasing their snow cream recipes, featuring fresh snow, milk or condensed milk, vanilla extract, and/or other sweet ingredients of their choice.
While the recipe may appear simple and harmless, it’s the hidden ingredients people should be wary of.
Snow is not safe for consumption
“Snow acts as a natural scrubber for the atmosphere, collecting impurities such as pollutants and dirt from the air,” says Nicole Karkic, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. “Additionally, the frozen nature of snow doesn’t help to eliminate harmful microorganisms or bacteria that may be present.”
And then there’s poop.
“In urban or wildlife-populated areas, snow can potentially contain animal droppings, introducing a risk of contamination,” she adds.
So, whipping up these snowy desserts may inadvertently be incorporating unseen toxins.
You can learn more about the pollutants found in snow here.