I have to make an Elmo cake for my neices 1st Birthday, Nov. 4th. I have used the Wilton Red Red, and No Taste Red before, but both take a lot to get a red color and even then I'm not happy with it. I know some people prefer the Americolor red. I noticed they have both gel and powder. any thoughts on which is better? Does anyone know anything about the CK food colors? I'm hoping for something that doesn't give that bitter taste that comes with red and black food coloring. Thanks in advance.

I use the Americolor gel but I've heard the powder is better. I'm just used to using gels so I stuck with it. There's no bitter taste from the Americolor black or red and you do use a lot less of it to get the darker shades.

I agree with Lisa, I love the Americolor gels. For me, they are more readily available to find in lots of colors than the powder. I've made red red and black with them and not had any problems with taste. But like Lisa said, it does take a lot.

Since ya'll are discussing food coloring....has anyone ever heard of anyone getting sick from the food coloring? I used to hear about people who were sensitive to the chemicals. I know one time at work someone had a vibrant blue frosting and we all ended up with slightly upset stomachs from the blue dye. That was years ago, but I am still leery of eating brightly colored frosting. I thought I was just being silly and then I found out that luster dust isn't even meant for human consumption. Please, tell me I'm being overly cautious.

There are still people who have allergies to certain food dyes but it's with all foods, not just icing. I've never gottten sick or had anyone get sick from eating brightly/dark colored icings.

With some of the dusts...it's the FDA who may be over cautious. Outside of the states, they're considered edible and I haven't heard any headlines of people getting sick from those either.

[url] I found out that luster dust isn't even meant for human consumption. Please, tell me I'm being overly cautious.[/url]


Luster dust is probably a lot safer than most fast food out there. It really depends on where you live that luster dust may or may not be edible or not.

Baaaa no different to smoking a cigarette. We all know how harmful that is but what is the FDA doing about it?


Princess

P.S. So basically it's a judgment call

The FDA isn't doing anything about it but lawyers are...especially in CA. If you're going to use products on your cake that the FDA has deemed to be for decoration only and not edible, you should disclose that to your customers.

Somebody there knows if Americolor in powder can be used to enhance details in gumpaste flowers?