Family update on toddler left fighting for life after inhaling metallic cake decorating powder

A young boy who fell critically ill after inhaling non-edible cake decorating powder is improving but is not out of the woods just yet.

Dustin “Dusty” Wildman inhaled a metallic rose gold decorating powder while his mother, Katie Robinson, prepared a Bluey-themed birthday cake for a friend’s child last Friday.

The 14-month-old had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the powder — which had turned into a paste — from his lungs and was placed in an induced coma.

As the toddler’s condition began to improve, his family were overjoyed when his breathing tube was taken out on Thursday and Dusty began breathing on his own.

“Dusty has had his breathing tube taken out and now has high-flow oxygen through nasal prongs,” Robinson said in an update on a GoFundMe set up to support the family.

“He is doing well breathing on his own. His meds have decreased but he is still in a drowsy state.

“The doctors are happy with his progression, however, (they are) still unsure about the lasting effects on the lungs.”

Friend and fundraiser organiser Rochelle Evrard added Dusty was a “little warrior” who was now able to have “much longer for cuddles with mum today” after his breathing tube was taken out.

Dusty’s parents, who are maintaining a vigil by his bedside at Queensland Children’s Hospital, expressed their gratitude for the support they had received.

“Thank you so, so much for the incredible amount of love and support for Dusty and his family,” Evrard said on their behalf.

“Ronald McDonald House have assured us Katie and Chris will have accommodation for the entire duration Dusty is in hospital so thank you to everyone who offered a place for them to stay.”

The family continue to warn people to check their kitchen for “non-edible dusts”.

Robinson said when the dust mixed with moisture it turned to paste, which “immediately blocked Dusty’s lungs”.

“He was coughing and getting really distressed and then he sort of became a bit more unresponsive,” Robinson said.

“His eyes were rolling in his head and he couldn’t breathe properly.

“It was terrifying to watch.”

Doctors sent away the decorative powder for testing and discovered it contained copper and zinc compounds.

“All these products look exactly the same and the fact that there’s toxic, non-edible products sitting right next to edible products that do the same job, technically, is the problem,” Robinson said.

The metal-based powder involved in the incident was labelled “for use on removable parts” — wording Robinson believes is vague and open to interpretation.

“There are so many of these dusts that are edible and can be used on all edible parts of the cake,” she said.

“Some people might think removable parts are still edible. So, it’s just so hard to know.

“This product was toxic; it contains metals that shouldn’t be ingested or inhaled.”

The supplier has since removed the product from sale and contacted stockists, requesting it be destroyed.