I love my cake glitter. When I first started my business I pretty much bought a pot of it in every colour! If it stays still in my house, I'll cover it in glitter.
Until late last year that is. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued
guidance about the use of 'edible' glitters and have decided that the way these products are packaged might lead consumers to think they are safe to be consumed - when they are not.
Now, as someone who has purchased glitters labelled as 'edible' or 'non toxic' (and coupled with the fact they are sold widely in cake decorating shops) I am aghast to think I might have been misusing a product! But alas, the guidance is clear and all of my lovely cake glitters have been stashed away with my sons art supplies ready for the next school project...
Interestingly I note that there are still cakes on sale drenched in this glitter, and I suspect that it won't be long before a food safe version is on the market, so the question is how will the consumer know what they're eating is safe? I've produced one cake that had a topper coated in glitter but I had to give the client strict instructions about removing it before eating and get signed off consent - far too much worry on my part, pass my the lustre spray instead!
So what are your thoughts on this debate? Most bakers I know have chosen to ditch the glitters all together whilst some only use it on items that can be removed from cakes. Both decisions are right, which makes it all the more confusing!