Is It Safe to Eat Snow? A Scientific Analysis of the Debate Sparked by Reese Witherspoon's TikTok Video

A study published in 2016 found that snow in urban areas can absorb toxic substances from car exhaust. However, very fresh snow has very little bacteria, so it's best to dig in before it's 2 days old.
Reese Witherspoon sparked a debate about whether it's safe to eat snow after sharing a video of herself making a Snow Salt Chococinno on TikTok.
Romanian researchers determined that very fresh snow has very little bacteria, so it should be dug into before 2 days have passed.
Scientists have long chewed over the age-old question: Is it safe to eat snow?
Is It Safe to Eat Snow? A Scientific Analysis of the Debate Sparked by Reese Witherspoon's TikTok Video

Reese Witherspoon sparked a heated debate about whether it's safe to eat snow after sharing a video of herself making a Snow Salt Chococinno on TikTok. Scientists have long chewed over the age-old question: Is it safe to eat snow? A study published in 2016 found that snow in urban areas can absorb toxic substances from car exhaust. However, very fresh snow has very little bacteria, so it's best to dig in before it's 2 days old. Romanian researchers determined that very fresh snow has very little bacteria, so it should be dug into before 2 days have passed. Environmental scientist Staci Simonich told NPR in 2016 that she would not hesitate for her children to have the joy of eating a handful of fresh fallen snow from her backyard.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any other ways to safely consume snow?
  • Is it true that all urban snow is toxic?

Sources

78%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Reese Witherspoon sparks heated debate: Is it OK to eat snow? Experts weigh in

New York Post Tracy Swartz Sunday, 21 January 2024 22:19
  • Unique Points
    • Reese Witherspoon sparked a heated debate about whether it's safe to eat snow after sharing a video of herself making a Snow Salt Chococinno on TikTok.
    • Scientists have long chewed over the age-old question: Is it safe to eat snow?
    • A study published in 2016 found that snow in urban areas can absorb toxic substances from car exhaust.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (75%)
    Reese Witherspoon's video of making a Snow Salt Chococinno has sparked a heated debate about whether it is safe to eat snow. The article discusses the pros and cons of eating snow, including concerns about toxic substances in urban areas and bacteria levels in freshly fallen snow. However, experts recommend avoiding yellow or plowed snow due to potential contamination with sand or chemicals.
    • A study published in 2016 found that snow in urban areas can absorb the same toxic substances that come from car exhaust.
  • Bias (80%)
    Tracy Swartz is promoting the idea that it's okay to eat snow by sharing a video of herself making a 'Snow Salt Chococinno'. She then addresses concerns about the safety of eating snow in multiple TikTok videos. In one video, she microwaves the snow to produce clear water and claims that it is safe to drink as long as it's freshly fallen. However, experts have warned against consuming yellow or plowed snow due to potential contamination from chemicals and sand.
    • reesewitherspoon/TikTok
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      Tracy Swartz has a conflict of interest on the topic of eating snow as she is reporting on an article that discusses her own personal experience with eating snow.
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of eating snow. The article mentions Dr. Parisa Ariya and Istvan Mathe as study authors who have previously weighed in on this topic.

        64%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Reese Witherspoon sparked a hygiene debate online after eating snow, but it's nothing new. What is 'snow cream' and why is it all over TikTok?

        Business Insider Lauren Edmonds Monday, 22 January 2024 08:44
        • Unique Points
          • Reese Witherspoon sparked an internet debate among her fans and critics after she filmed herself eating snow as a dessert on TikTok.
          • Snow cream is not new to TikTokers, who collect snow and turn it into a dessert by adding milk, vanilla, sugar or other ingredients.
        • Accuracy
          • Some comments were critical of Witherspoon's recipe, prompting her to share three follow-up videos shrugging off their comments.
        • Deception (30%)
          Lauren Edmonds is attempting to deceive her readers by presenting snow cream as a safe and healthy dessert option. She uses the phrase 'You only live once' to justify eating unfiltered water which may contain contaminants. The author also argues that she grew up drinking unfiltered water, implying it was normal and safe.
          • Witherspoon used two large mugs to scoop snow off her grill before drizzling them with salted caramel and chocolate sauce.
        • Fallacies (75%)
          Lauren Edmonds' article contains several informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Mayo Clinic Health System family medicine physician Jennifer Johnson as a source for information on whether eating snow is safe. However, this does not necessarily make her statement accurate or reliable.
          • The outlet reported that most people have a good immune system and don't eat enough snow to feel adverse effects.
        • Bias (85%)
          Lauren Edmonds has a clear bias towards the idea that eating snow is safe and acceptable as a dessert. She repeatedly defends Reese Witherspoon's recipe and argues against those who question its safety or health risks. This bias is evident in her statements such as 'I don’t know! Also, I want to say something: It was delicious.' and 'Maybe that’s why I’m like this. '. She also dismisses concerns about the contamination of snow by saying it's essentially water and people should be careful with consumption since it could be contaminated.
          • I don’t know! Also, I want to say something: It was delicious.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            Lauren Edmonds has a conflict of interest on the topics of snow and eating snow. She also has an affiliation with TikTok through her account @theridelife.

            62%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Reese Witherspoon Claps Back at Critics After Eating Snow

            US Magazine Nicole Massabrook Monday, 22 January 2024 03:14
            • Unique Points
              • Reese Witherspoon is not concerned about eating snow.
              • Witherspoon showed a recipe with freshly fallen snow on TikTok and explained that she made a Chococinnos treat using cold brew, salted caramel syrup, and chocolate syrup.
              • Some viewers disagreed with the recipe and asked if it was safe to eat first. Witherspoon responded by showing off a cup of clear liquid in another video.
              • Witherspoon also shared that she ate snow as a kid and found it delicious.
            • Accuracy
              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
            • Deception (50%)
              The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that snow days are made for Chococinnos which implies that eating snow is safe and healthy when it's not. Secondly, the author uses a quote from one of her followers to support her claim about drinking tap water without filters but fails to disclose any scientific evidence or studies supporting this statement. Lastly, the article presents an opinion as fact by stating that filtered snow is unnecessary for consumption.
              • The title implies that eating snow is safe and healthy which contradicts the author's claim in her caption.
            • Fallacies (85%)
              The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that she and her family have eaten snow before without getting sick. This is not a valid argument as it does not provide any evidence or scientific research to support the claim that eating snow is safe for consumption.
              • > Reese Witherspoon Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/TikTok
              • > @reesewitherspoon Replying to @Gio ♬ original sound – Reese Witherspoon
            • Bias (85%)
              The author has a religious bias. The article mentions that the recipe is for Chococinnos which are made with caramel syrup and chocolate syrup. These ingredients have religious significance in Christianity as they represent Jesus Christ's body and blood respectively.
              • ]Reese Witherspoon Courtesy of Reese Witherspoon/TikTok[
                • The Morning Show star acquiesced, showing off a cup with perfectly clear liquid.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                  The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of TikTok as they have mentioned it in their article and also tagged an account related to TikTok. The author does not disclose this conflict.
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of TikTok as they have mentioned it in their article and also tagged @Gio who is likely to be an influencer or content creator for TikTok. The author does not disclose this conflict.