Gold coast toddlers condition improves after inhaling cake decorating dust 20260507 p5zul8.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 4 months ago

Gold Coast toddler's condition improves after inhaling cake decorating dust

Emily McPherson
Emily McPherson

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The mother of a Gold Coast toddler who was put in an induced coma after inhaling cake decorating dust has given a hopeful update on his condition.

Speaking outside Queensland Children's Hospital to the Today Show this morning, mum Katie Robinson said her son Dusty Wildman was doing a bit better after spending days in a coma.

"He's improved a little bit, which has been such a relief for all of us," she said. 

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"They are looking at taking out his breathing tube sometime today, so we're very much looking forward to that."

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Gold Coast toddler Dusty Wildman's condition has improved.Gold Coast toddler Dusty Wildman's condition has improved.

Gold Coast toddler Dusty Wildman's condition has improved. 9News

Robinson, who is a professional baker, was making a Bluey cake for a first birthday last Friday when her Dusty found a canister of cake decorating gold. 

"He just, all of a sudden, got into my drawer and within seconds, had breathed in this dust and inhaled it and ingested it at the same time," Robinson said.

"It was just so fast we didn't even know what had happened. He was just coughing, and it got worse and worse by the minute." 

The little boy was rushed to hospital, where Robinson learnt the dust contained copper, which would not dissolve in blood and gathered in Dusty's lungs. 

Katie Robinson and Chris Wildman's son Dusty is currently in hospital.

Katie Robinson and Chris Wildman's son Dusty is currently in hospital. 9News

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The label on the cake dust said the product is "for use on removal parts" and that it is non-toxic. 

There is no ingredients list, which meant doctors had to send the container to a lab to discover it contained copper and zinc. 

The supplier has pulled the product from shelves and contacted all stockists. 

Robinson is now calling for better regulation on cake decorating products.

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"I just can't believe that these products are being sold alongside similar products that are edible. It's something that shouldn't be happening," she said.

The label on the cake dust said the product is "for use on removal parts" and that it is non-toxic.

The label on the cake dust said the product is "for use on removal parts" and that it is non-toxic.  9News

The family is now waiting anxiously to see how Dusty fares after his tube is taken out. 

Robinson said her son had shown he was a fighter.

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"He is so strong. He's been fighting so hard. The doctors are so happy with him," she said.

"He is pushing back, and he's saying that he's ready to have that tube taken out." 

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