Episode Details

What is edible glitter actually made of? Mica — and the words next to it on the label matter more than the sparkle. The real answer: edible glitter is built on mica-based pearlescent pigments listed in FDA color-additive regulations (21 CFR 73.350), colored with iron oxides and FD&C colorants — the same additive families as commercial candy color. Craft glitter, by contrast, is cut plastic. Same shimmer in a photo; completely different object in your mouth. In this episode: the mica story from mineral to jar; how to read a glitter ingredient list in under a minute; what "FDA-listed color additive" does and does not mean; why "non-toxic" is the most misleading word in the baking aisle; and the five-ingredient palette behind every color in the line. Just want to know which color to buy? That's a different episode — this one is for label readers. The jars discussed are on Amazon (check the listing for current pricing). Produced with AI-crafted hosts. Full transcript on the episode page. New questions answered every week at The Monégasque Table.