My husband found a hair in his salad once. I wouldn't want to eat that, or plastic either.

This thread has become a wonderful example of how some people will learn to do better once they know better and how others will rationalize their choice to continue doing something that they've been told is not OK.....

 

I always feel a little sick when people (shrug) and say,  "it hasn't hurt me (so far)" --as though that makes it acceptable to foist DD on others.........maybe the "others" won't be as "lucky"....

 

Do whatever you want to yourself.  Accept the consequences of your choices for YOUR body, but never assume that what is OK for you is automatically OK for the next guy.

 

Want to sprinkle your confections with pretty plastic particles?  Fine--as long as you fully disclose it to each and every person eating your creations and accept the potential consequences to both that person and to your business.  Better make the clients sign a release, too, acknowledging that you've disclosed that the DD is plastic particles, just in case they wind up in the hospital with an ailment related to consuming the stuff....

 

It's "no big deal" until it becomes a big deal and sometimes, what you don't know CAN hurt you.  Once you've been put on notice--and responding to this thread proves that you've been put on notice--should someone have an adverse reaction to DD (that they hadn't been told about or didn't know what it was), they'd have no problem pursuing a legal remedy.....

 

Sparkly just ain't worth it....

 

Rae

Some feel the onus is on the baker to make sure absolutely everything on or near the cake is edible.  What about the toothpicks in figures?  Wire and florist tape on gumpaste flowers?

 

Some feel the onus is on the customer.  If a person uses their eyes, they can plainly see what is and is not meant to be eaten.  One should not just jam everything into one's mouth thinking it's okay because it's near a food source.

 

Perhaps both sides have a point.  DD should be on a decoration that can easily be taken off - fondant, gumpaste, etc.  I wouldn't want it all over my BC iced cake.  But declaring a ban on it seems as silly as banning candles - heck they MIGHT drop wax on the cake! Gasp!

 

Personal responsibility.  Especially if one is sick or has frequent illness or allergies.  All the more reason to be cautious of what you eat.  Err on the side of caution.  It is not the world's job to put a bubble around you.

Hi, K8--welcome back!

 

I bought my wax (Golden Blends 415) from ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130491955139?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I think the 10 lbs. I bought will last 2 lifetimes.

 

per Golden Brands, the makers of 415,  the wax is 100% pure soy, natural, no additives, kosher and FDA approved.  It's also completely odorless.

 

 

I don't know what they use to "wax" cake boards, but I know that paraffin is no longer recommended for consumption, so that's why I went in search of a pure soy.

 

I put about 1/4 cup of wax in a small silicone kitchen portion cup and melt it to clear in the microwave.  This is a high melt point wax, so it take at least 1.5 mins., but it's also very hard to scorch.

 

I take a fresh paper towel and wipe on a thin coat while the wax is very hot.  It's thin enough so that you get little up if you scratch it with your fingernail, but it does seal the surface.

 

HTH

Rae

Thank you so much!

 

brilliant work really tremendous

 

how many zillion times while assembling a cake have I wondered where that cardboard circle and foamcore board have been--anybody sneeze on therm, drop 'em on the floor, wipe their nose out in the cold unloading the inventory then touch it

 

thanks for making my world brighter

 

you get a gold star!!!

 

 

 

 

 

ps. original post is on page 1 or 2

Stick a fork in it I think this topic is done.

The bottom line is to CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL FOOD AUTHORITY BEFORE you sell your products.

New bakers need to be aware of the health regulations pertaining to them in their region or state and country. Not all laws regarding food, food additives or business practices are the same across the board so please make sure you check with your food authority or health department BEFORE you start selling your products. No one wants to be sued for an illness real or imagined. No one wants to be a test case.

Use of wires penetrating into the cake is also a contentious issue. In Australia there has been at least one case where a child was hospitalised for consuming cake with a small piece of wire in it - the caterers cut the cake without removing the flower arrangement first and a small piece of wire ended up in the cake! In this case it is not what the wire is made from or the miniscule risk of contamination from what the wire is made from that is the issue, it is simply the fact that eating a lovely piece of cake with a piece of wire in it would put a kink in your day, especially if you ended it in in emergency surgery. Not quite the end that one would envision for a wedding day!

In Australia we don't have a contamination issue with salmonella as Europe and the US have, therefore use of egg whites aren't as big a problem health wise here, and according to the health authorities once the egg white is dry salmonella cannot form and grow. Italian meringues and other such egg based fillings, beacuse they stay moist, would need to be refrigerated.

In Australia non toxic is defined as

• The NON TOXIC GLITTER = NON-TOXIC - not harmful  
• If consumed, then the product will cause no harm and will simply pass through the digestive system. 
• This product cannot be classed as edible, as edible means the product is digestible and classed as a food, As this product does not break down when eaten, it is therefore labelled as “Non-Toxic” If concerned, Non toxic glitters can be used on decorations that can be removed prior to eating
   

This from the Australian Food Authority

"If the glitter and powder colours are being sold in Australia as food for human consumption then the product must meet the labelling requirements set out in Part 1.2 – Labelling and other Information Requirements of the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code.

If the product is a decorative feature in contact with food but is not intended to be consumed then the product must meet the standards set out in Standard 1.4.3 – Articles and Materials in Contact with Food of the Food Standards Code.

 

From the Uk food standards site

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/faq/edibleglitter/#.UOeB6KzLJrw

I am aware also, that in some US states, the use of ribbon is prohibited as it is not a food item. So make sure what the laws are in your state/region/country.

 

Instead of flogging dd to death how about offering alternatives if you want to be able to say that everything on the cake is technically edible.

Rainbow Dust have a large range of edible glitters, dusts and lusters available.
Carolines Sugar art Supplies also produce a range of edible colours. dusts and glitters.
Wilton also have edible glitter although it's really naiff, but what ever floats your boat.

CK also have a range of glitters and dusts
Squires have a range
 

A[quote name="Jess155" url="/t/752427/for-those-who-feed-others-disco-dust#post_7345380"];-D

I'm not one to cover a cake in disco dust, I've never used it for anything but gumpaste decorations.  Having said that --

I think any person who takes a big bite of disco dust deserves the rainbow poo that will follow.  Most people don't eat the fondant or gumpaste anyway let alone when it's covered in sparkles.  Just like (most) people are responsible enough to take off the plastic flotsam that grocery stores throw on their cakes, most people (should) know that if it looks like glitter, peel it off.  Don't just blindly eat whatever is on your plate.  I've eaten worse.  My kids have eaten worse.  The grocery store sells worse and labels it "edible". 

Couldnt have said it better myself!

I'm going to use my Disco Dust for make-up...it makes great face glitter!

Can we know who this famous person is? Because I worked at a bakery here in Dallas with someone who is a wee bit famous and all they use is disco dust!! ON EVERYTHING!! Since just recently I am no longer her employee..

I so agree!!

AOh no! I are some disco dust and now I am farting out sprinkles.

Ozgirl thank you for the very helpful alternatives! I know some would say do your own research, and I agree with that, but putting that little extra out there was awesome!

When my sister and I were little, we used to see who could swallow more BBs - - you know, the little copper/lead pellets from our brother's BB gun. Now, while others might disagree, I don't believe we suffered any ill effects from our little contests. That doesn't mean I would put BBs on a cake.

 

Common sense is a wonderful thing; too bad it's being litigated right out of our society. People don't want to accept responsibility for their own stupidity.  "I sat here and crunched on gumpaste flowers filled with wires and it's MY fault I have a stomach ache?  No way!"

 

When your customers want the flowers and feathers and sparkles, there's only so much you can do to make sure it's safe.  The rest is up to them.

you guys making it through the metal detectors ok????

 

LOL K8!  That's funny!  We ate pennies when we were toddlers. . .ugh. Nothing dirtier than money.

Original post from Rae

 Quote:   

       "per Golden Brands, the makers of 415,  the wax is 100% pure soy, natural, no additives, kosher and FDA approved.  It's also completely odorless."

 

 

Rae,

Please note that "pure soy" is a highly dangerous additive to the growing population of people with soy allergies.  I have had a dear friend almost go into anaphelactic shock, and be rushed to the E.R., from eating a hard candy that unbeknownst to her had soy as an ingredient.  She also had to give up her job in a hair salon because of the fumes from the hair products that contain soy. She must carry an epi pen on her because soy ingredients are not always labeled on everything that touches food.  There is an increasing number  of people with an allergy to soy as it is being added to so many food and non-food products.  This allergy is life threatening to those who have it. 

so be sure to post a warning for soy but they're on their own for finely chopped plastic-- really?

 

here's a thought

 

hopefully people will start getting allergic to dd

 

and it will become a respected allergen?

 

swishykitty,

 

bottom line if it's fda approved it's ok to use with food

 

some people are grossly allergic to lots of things that doesn't mean we have to avoid them for gen pop baking

general population

 

dd ain't fda approved

NEIGHHHHHHHHHH     haha

I'm certainly aware of soy allergies...........If I were claiming that my products were soy-free, or did not contain products that contain or have come in contact with soy, it would be a concern.  I DO NOT DO THAT, as I am in no way equipped to make such a cake.

 

Anyone receiving a cake from me receives written notification that my cakes are not suited to ANYONE with a food allergy or sensitivity, as all of my ingredients and tools have come into contact with and/or contain common allergens such as soy, wheat, dairy, etc.  Since I can't write that on every slice, it becomes the burden of the allergic individual, or their parent, to determine if the cake is "safe" for consumption. 

 

I'm not food allergic, but I would believe that those who are must be very careful about their choices, ask pertinent questions, and pass on consuming something that they cannot verify is safe for them.

 

I chose 100% soy wax because soy is an edible product and paraffin is no longer considered as such.

 

I think it's quite obvious that if anyone is claiming to make soy-free cakes, they certainly should NOT be using soy wax to coat their boards............

 

As for plastic glitter, no one should be consuming it, either knowingly or unknowingly.  We now have micro-plastics in the food chain, in particular in fish.  It's bad enough that it's in things that we can't see and can't label as such.  No one needs to be deliberately feeding it to anyone.

 

Who knows that it's plastic? There are those who make cakes who don't know this. How can we expect the end consumer to know it?

 

Sure, if a wire is in cake, the majority of the population would know it's not meant to be eaten; but Disco Dust? I seriously doubt the average person knows that it's plastic and is not supposed to be ingested. Go ahead- take a non-scientific poll of your non-caking friends. 

AIf I asked some of my friends if they know that disco isn't edible, I would probably get this in response: "You mean that crap my boyfriend comes home covered in after a night out?" :grin:

A

And you could say, yes,because it's the same stuff!

People don't know that it's plastic glitter, I've told a few people that I won't use it and they're always surprised to know why

I wanted to weigh in on this topic since it has taken some odd turns and in some cases accusatory stances.  But with the FDA approved foods that we eat from lets say McDonalds you are making the assumption that you are also buying real food that would be harmless.  So the argument that we are always buying with the complete knowledge of things be they sold from private or public companies is not a fact.

Please read the contents of that wonderful seasonal sandwich called the McRib and tell me if ingesting a bit of plastic is a concern when people unknowingly eat it everyday.

 

http://www.honeycolony.com/article/a-scary-look-inside-the-mcrib/

A

FDA-approved foods are not "harmless", they are typically "generally recognized as safe" in given concentrations. Any food can be harmful if you have too much of it.

As for the McRib, it's true that it contains a lot of ingredients and I certainly wouldn't have one every day, but I don't see a problem eating one every once in a while. It's a common trick to prey on people's emotions by giving unflattering names to innocuous combinations of ingredients (i.e. ground up meat + salt + water = "meat glue") or pointing out that some ingredients used in food (such as flour-bleaching agents) may have other uses.

The site you linked to is financially supported by companies selling "natural" products so their take on the McRib is not surprising.