Decorating a cake with glitter? Check that it’s edible - NBC2 News

NEW YORK [AP] — Although decorative glitters can make cakes and cupcakes sparkle and shine, they can contain toxic metals and aren’t always safe to eat.

The CDC said in a report on Thursday that the products known as “luster dust” aren’t all meant to be eaten even if they are labeled “nontoxic.” Some should be used for display only.

The report cites investigations by health officials in two states that traced illnesses to baked goods using such dusts.

Rhode Island health officials investigated a report in 2018 of six children becoming sick after a birthday party, with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea that were consistent with heavy metal poisoning. According to AP, they all ate a bakery cake with a thick layer of frosting mixed with a “gold dust.”

A leftover of a slice of cake was tested which contained copper, as did tests on dust used by the bakery. The report notes the dust was marked as “nonedible,” “nontoxic,” and “for decoration only.”

State health officials found widespread use of nonedible luster dust at other bakeries. Food safety expert with the Rhode Island health department and co-author of the CDC report, Brendalee Viveiros, said the state issued guidance on the use of luster dust to businesses.

Missouri health officials identified a “primrose petal dust” used to decorate a cake as a lead hazard while investigating elevated lead levels in a 1-year-old child. AP reports that in the child’s home, a jar of bright yellow decoration had been used to create flowers for the birthday cake. Lab tests of the dust, which was labeled as ‘non-toxic,’ indicated the sample was 25% lead.

The Food and Drug Administration in a public advisory warns about the potential hazards of eating decorative glitters. It said that bakers should check the labels of decorative products used on foods, which are required to have a list of ingredients. If the label only says the product is “nontoxic” or “for decorative purposes only” and does not have a list of ingredients, the FDA said it should not be used on foods.

According to AP via FDA, glitters can be sold under names including disco dust, twinkle dust, shimmer powder, and petal dust.

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