This isn't really a disaster, but I couldn't figure out where else to put it, so hopefully someone will have the answer.
I made some gumpaste/fondant figures and tinted the gumpaste pink (I used wilton rose). I left them to dry and then put them in a plastic bag to store until this weekend when the cake is due and the pink has turned this strange salmon color. Has anyone had that happen to them?
I would think that most people make their gumpaste figures ahead of time so they will dry and also because they are time consuming, but what do you do about the fading?
Thanks.
The red dyes currently used in food coloring are unstable, especially when exposed to light. You will see the same problem with anything that uses red e.g. purple, brown, orange. The solution is to make sure to store them (even while drying) in a dark place. The red color basically bleaches out, for lack of proper terminology.
I did a bunny rabbit once, it was on my counter for a mere two hours but the direct sun hit it...the nose and inside of the ears went from pink to pure white! 
You can either paint them with the food coloring diluted ideally with vodka (strongest you can buy) or everclear is even better (but hard to get). Or petal dust as peg818 suggested. You can also use chalk if you don't have the correct color dust...if it's not meant to be eaten. (Chalk is nontoxic, but obviously not meant to be consumed.) The "red" chalk is pretty much pink. I used it the next time I did a bunny and also to add "blush" aine2-style to figures' cheeks and mouths.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%