# Long gone cake decoration **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154 "2004-02-25T19:23:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ookpik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c68b51/32.png) [@ookpik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ookpik)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154/1 "2004-02-25T19:23:57Z")
Does anyone know what became of those old cake decorations that looked like small ball bearings or silver colored BB ammo? I know for a fact that they were widely available in the sixties and possibly into the seventies as well. At some point though, they disappeared off store shelves. They were edible and bright silver or chrome in color. Anyone know if they were found to be unsafe? Or did they simply become less and less popular? Regards, Ook. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154/2 "2004-02-25T19:35:48Z")
[you can buy them here](http://www.cakeart.us/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/4158/subcatid/9066/id/46686) I suppose you can still find them in some stores, but they seem to have fallen out of fashion. I’ve heard varying opinions of their safety, I eat them but I’m a risk-taker by nature. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![ookpik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c68b51/32.png) [@ookpik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ookpik)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154/3 "2004-02-25T19:45:26Z")
Well that was quick! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154/4 "2004-02-25T19:46:06Z")
This [site](http://www.countrykitchensa.com/hot/sugars/sugars.htm) calls them **Dragees** and says “These gold and silver metallic candy balls do much to enhance a confection. They are non-toxic, however, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that they be used for decoration only.” ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154/5 "2004-02-25T19:51:21Z")
They’re called [dragees,](http://www.candylandcrafts.com/dragees.htm) and in California, at least, [thanks to [url=http://overlawyered.com/archives/000646.htmlmeddling attorneys threatening to sue anyone selling them.]([http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/12/23/MNGS03SUEM1.DTLall](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/12/23/MNGS03SUEM1.DTLall) but impossible to find[/url) The FDA considers them non-toxic decorations, not meant to be eaten. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-gone-cake-decoration/231154/6 "2004-02-25T19:55:59Z")
Well, that was a train wreck! Let’s try again… They’re called [dragees,](http://www.candylandcrafts.com/dragees.htm) and in California, at least, [all but impossible to find](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/12/23/MNGS03SUEM1.DTL) thanks to [meddling attorneys threatening to sue anyone selling them.](http://overlawyered.com/archives/000646.html) The FDA considers them non-toxic decorations, not meant to be eaten.