A metallic cake decorating powder sold across Australia has been urgently recalled after a Queensland toddler was placed in an induced coma following accidental exposure to the product.
The recall includes all five colours of the metallic lustre dust, which authorities say contains copper and zinc – substances that can be harmful if inhaled or ingested.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has advised consumers to stop using the metallic powder immediately, keep it out of reach of children and return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
The product had reportedly been available for sale since 2019.
The case came to light after Gold Coast toddler Dusty Wildman became critically ill earlier this month.
His mother, professional baker Katie Robinson, said the incident happened while she was preparing a Bluey-themed birthday cake at home.
According to Ms Robinson, her toddler managed to open a container of the gold decorating dust on 1 May while playing nearby. Soon after, he began coughing and showing signs of severe distress.
“[He] became a bit more unresponsive and his eyes were rolling in his head … he couldn’t breathe properly,” Ms Robinson said.
Dustin was rushed by paramedics to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, where doctors carried out emergency procedures to remove copper particles that had lined his airways and lungs before placing him into an induced coma.
Ms Robinson said doctors later informed her that copper particles from the powder had accumulated in his lungs because the substance does not dissolve easily in blood.
Dusty has since been removed from a breathing tube and is recovering, though doctors have warned there could still be possible long-term health complications.
Ms Robinson said the product packaging described the dust as “non-toxic” and stated it was intended “for use on removable cake parts”.
However, she argued the item was displayed alongside edible cake decorating products, which may have caused confusion for consumers.
On Monday, Ms Robinson wrote on social media: “It’s honestly blown us away how much support we have had from loved ones and strangers. Our boy has been so, so loved.”
“We’re looking forward to sleeping in our own bed tonight and spending some much-needed quality time as a family.
“Dusty will continue with asthma therapy and medication to help the inflammation in his lungs continue to go down … The main thing is he is ok! That’s the best outcome.”
Meanwhile, supplier of the Creative brand of cake decorating powder, Crumb Australia, had already withdrawn the product from sale and contacted retailers before the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) formally announced the nationwide recall.
Crumb Australia said in the recall statement: “The powders are used to decorate removable ornaments on cakes and are not supposed to be consumed.”
The colours recalled were: rose gold, fiery copper, Dior gold, platinum silver and champagne gold.
