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A third form of dragée is a much smaller, pure sugar ball, usually
with a metallic coating, made to resemble a ball bearing. These
dragées are produced in various sizes, but tend toward slightly
larger than a nonpareil and slightly smaller than a small pearl. In
fact, one of the more recent developments in the finish of dragées
has been the creation of fairly realistic edible pearls, which are
used primarily in the decoration of cookies, cakes, and other forms
of bakery. Silver dragées, now augmented by ones with gold and
copper finishes, have long been used for both wedding and holiday
food decoration.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
considers the metallic-finish dragées to be inedible. Early
in the 20th century, the silver finish may have contained mercury
(it does not now). The sale of these dragées was banned for some
time. Although the metallic-finish dragées can be purchased in 49
U.S. states, in California, they are no longer sold due to a 2003
lawsuit against several sellers. Now, these dragées are sold with a
notice that they are for decorative purposes only. However in other countries (including the United
Kingdom) they are classed as food items.
that's from wikipedia.
