Cake dust that put Gold Coast toddler into coma recalled nationwide – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
A quiet afternoon in a Gold Coast kitchen took an alarming turn when a toddler reached for a small container of cake decorating powder. The child’s mother, a professional baker preparing a themed birthday cake, had left the item within reach for just a moment. What followed prompted health authorities to act swiftly and order the product off shelves across the country.
The Product at the Center of Concern
The recalled item is a metallic lustre dust sold under the Creative brand. It has been available since 2019 in five different colours and was marketed for use on removable cake decorations. Laboratory testing later revealed the presence of copper and zinc, substances that become hazardous when inhaled or swallowed in powder form.
Labels on the containers described the product as non-toxic, yet the powder sat on retail shelves alongside edible baking supplies. This placement created confusion for many users who assumed the item was safe for all cake-related tasks.
A Family’s Sudden Ordeal
On May 1, young Dusty Wildman discovered the open canister while his mother worked nearby. He inhaled some of the fine powder and quickly began coughing and showing signs of distress. Paramedics rushed him to Queensland Children’s Hospital, where doctors placed him in an induced coma to protect his lungs.
Medical staff determined that the copper particles did not dissolve in the bloodstream and instead settled in the child’s respiratory system. After several days, Dusty was taken off the breathing tube and began to improve, though doctors cautioned that longer-term effects remain possible. His mother later described the rapid onset of symptoms and the shock of learning the dust’s true composition.
The episode highlighted how even small amounts of the product can pose serious risks to young children who explore their surroundings.
Action by Regulators and Suppliers
The supplier, Crumb Australia, had already removed the powder from its own stock and notified retailers before the official announcement. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission then issued a formal nationwide recall covering all remaining units.
Consumers who purchased the product are advised to stop using it at once. They should store it safely away from children and return it to the original place of purchase for a full refund. The recall applies to items sold at numerous cake supply stores between 2019 and May 2026, including several specialist outlets on the Gold Coast and in other states.
What Consumers Should Do Now
Anyone who owns the Creative metallic cake dust is urged to inspect their supplies immediately. The following steps can help reduce further risk:
- Remove the product from any workspace or storage area used for baking.
- Keep the container sealed and out of reach until it can be returned.
- Contact the retailer for instructions on obtaining a refund or exchange.
- Monitor children closely around all cake decorating materials in the future.
Health officials continue to stress that products labeled for decorative use only should never be treated as edible or child-safe.
The recall serves as a reminder that even everyday baking supplies can carry hidden hazards when their composition is not fully understood.
