Recently, culinary trends have become increasingly unique and luxurious. One such trend is the use of gold in food, with gold—typically used as jewelry accessories or investments—now appearing in dishes ranging from steak to dessert.

While this trend may seem exclusive and eye-catching, many people are questioning whether gold-infused food is safe to consume or if it is merely a display of status and luxury.

Can the digestive system tolerate this precious metal? How does Islam view food sprinkled with gold? Is consuming gold in food permitted? Or is it considered a form of extravagance that goes beyond reasonable limits? Therefore, let us discuss this from a medical perspective and the Islamic viewpoint.

1. Reasons Why Gold-Dusted Food Trends Are So Popular

Before we delve into how medicine and Islam view gold-dusted food, you should first understand why gold-dusted food trends are so popular.

Why is gold-dusted food so popular? One answer is its visual appeal and status value. Gold creates an impression of luxury, exclusivity, and serves as a symbol of financial achievement. Such foods are often showcased on social media as part of a glamorous lifestyle.

Additionally, the uniqueness of gold-dusted food makes it popular among influencers, celebrities, and food travelers. They not only savor the taste but also sell the visually appealing experience that captures the attention of many people.

2. Are Gold-Dusted Foods Safe According to Medical Standards?

Gold-dusted foods typically use edible gold, which is safe for consumption. This type of gold is usually in the form of thin sheets or powder, made from pure gold with a purity of 22 to 24 karats. In the medical and pharmaceutical fields, edible gold is classified as an inert material, meaning it does not react within the human body.

According to several studies, pure gold is not absorbed by the digestive system, so it simply passes through the body without causing significant effects, whether positive or negative. In other words, gold-dusted food is safe as long as it uses gold that has passed food safety testing.

However, what needs to be watched out for is the source and quality of the gold. If gold-sprinkled food uses uncertified or impure materials, it may contain harmful heavy metals such as copper or aluminum. Consuming such materials can cause irritation, digestive issues, or even poisoning.

Read Also: 9 Types of Additional Income to Survive “In This Economy” – Treasury

3. What is the Ruling on Food Sprinkled With Gold in Islam?

From an Islamic perspective, gold holds a special status. Gold is a symbol of luxury that is prohibited from being used excessively by Muslim men, such as in the form of jewelry. However, what about gold used in food?

Sheikh Sulaiman bin Umar bin Muhammad Al-Bujairimi in his book Hasyiyah al-Bujairimi ala Al-Khatib (Volume 1, page 362) explains that consuming food sprinkled with gold is permitted as long as it has benefits and does not cause negative effects on the body.

Regarding the issue of wasting wealth, consuming gold is permissible as long as it serves a purpose.

Habib Hasan also explains the ruling on consuming food sprinkled with gold. If one eats gold without necessity and merely out of curiosity, it falls under the category of wasting wealth, which is prohibited in Islam.

Habib Hasan explained that food sprinkled with gold may be consumed if it has a benefit. For example, drinking milk mixed with gold for medicinal purposes is permitted, or consuming food containing gold with the intention of beautifying and pleasing one’s husband is also permitted.

4. Invest in Gold, Don’t Consume It

Instead of spending money on food sprinkled with gold, it would be wiser to use those funds for something more productive, such as investing in gold. Gold as an investment instrument has proven to be resistant to inflation and is suitable for protecting the value of wealth in the long term.

By choosing to invest in gold, you not only keep the value of your money stable but also support a healthy financial lifestyle. Investing in gold provides financial peace of mind, not just a temporary sense of luxury.