One of the biggest talking points in the cake decoration and baking industries is not, unfortunately, the latest quadrupled chocolate brownie muffin gateaux (that would be epic), it is in fact the use of decorative glitters and dusts. Following a notice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) at the end of 2011, a lot of online discussions have consisted of questions and comments from perplexed bakers and decorators as to what they can legally use in their baking.
The FSA said it was “aware of a number of instances of non-edible cake decorations described as glitters or dust made from coloured plastic particles, being marketed in ways that may lead buyers to a misunderstanding that they are intended for human consumption.”
The saga, being dubbed “glittergate” in the online forums, concerns the labeling of these and similar products as ‘edible’ ‘non-edible’ or ‘non-toxic.’ Many cake bakers have said that they have reluctantly had to cease from using the “materials” in their baking to avoid the risk of contaminating their customers and the potential sanctions from bodies such as the FSA.
According to the Food Standards Agency the official requirements for the use of non-edible dust and glitter on foods to be supplied commercially are the materials “should only be considered safe if they are composed entirely of permitted food ingredients,” including additives or colouring.
On the other side, ‘decorative’ dusts and glitters must meet the requirements for ‘food contact materials’ if they are intended to come into contact with the food but not be consumed.
An FSA spokesperson said “If any cake makers are unsure whether a product is safe to eat, such as decorative glitters and dusts, they should contact the manufacturer if it isn’t completely clear from the label. It is their responsibility to ensure that their product is safe or fit for purpose.”
To find all the very best cake decorations and accessories at the very best prices, keep visiting the SugarShack website. Should you have any questions about our products, you can contact us by calling 0208 204 2994.
