If you're in the US, the FDA does not consider any real metals--gold, silver, etc.-- edible. Although metals may be approved for use in some medications and cosmetics, that approval doesn't extend to food use. The FDA views the metals as non toxic and expects them to be used on on things that will not be eaten.
thank you, maybenot -- and with all that being exactly true --
if you do happen to go on and use gold leaf, marla -- do not buy reasonably priced gold leaf because it is not gold -- it's copper or bronze or mystery metal -- could contain lead who knows -- the real deal is ridiculously expensive
best to you
Quote by @TC123 on 15 hours ago
You can get some ideas from Amazon. Of course do research. But they have quite a few, so you may find some useful information there.
Yes, I can assure you that you will find products described as "edible", and even FDA approved. The simple fact is, that per FDA guidelines, neither of these claims is true. They are merely marketing tools to sell product and make money, since these sellers have virtually no liability when a product is used incorrectly.
Maybenot it's terrible that companies can get away with that kind of false advertising and the FDA doesn't nail them! In your opinion if gold leaf is used on a fondant cake do you just need to inform the client that it is not edible and shouldn't be served? I've seen so many photos of cakes where gold leaf is used. I have someone wanting that on a cake. Do you know of another truly edible product that would give basically the same look and be legal to serve?
Hi... I was merely suggesting it for reference & ideas for sources. There are a variety, with varying prices, and many have detailed descriptions of the product. Of course I cannot vouch for them, or their integrity. I was only trying to help Marla with access to information. That is all.
Quote by @maybenot on 5 hours ago
Quote by @TC123 on 15 hours ago
You can get some ideas from Amazon. Of course do research. But they have quite a few, so you may find some useful information there.
Yes, I can assure you that you will find products described as "edible", and even FDA approved. The simple fact is, that per FDA guidelines, neither of these claims is true. They are merely marketing tools to sell product and make money, since these sellers have virtually no liability when a product is used incorrectly.
Also, Maybenot, Marla didn't say it'd be eaten or specifically why she was asking about it. It could be for other decorating purposes not to be consumed. I get what you are saying, but I would love to work with gold leaf and I'd be happy to make myself a cake with it.
Quote by @Marla505 on 1 hour ago
Maybenot it's terrible that companies can get away with that kind of false advertising and the FDA doesn't nail them! In your opinion if gold leaf is used on a fondant cake do you just need to inform the client that it is not edible and shouldn't be served? I've seen so many photos of cakes where gold leaf is used. I have someone wanting that on a cake. Do you know of another truly edible product that would give basically the same look and be legal to serve?
I agree, it is terrible that companies get away
with this, but all they care about is the almighty dollar. In their
minds, they're not the one feeding it to anyone, so as long as they get
paid, who cares?
When I worked with the FDA to get an advisory written [https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/FoodAdditivesIngredients/ucm481466.htm], the agent I spoke with over the course of a year was clear that they would love to be able to go after those who make false claims about products [as well as people who go on to misuse those products], but like many federal agencies, they don't have that kind of manpower. One example she gave me was that they are currently spending a lot of energy trying to get fake & mail order drugs out of circulation, but they pop up every MINUTE on Amazon and Ebay. The agency needs to rely on people caring enough to find out what is right and then to do what's right. It's when that doesn't happen--and someone complains, or gets hurt--that food safety agencies will use written policies for enforcement.
The truly proper way to use a non-toxic product is on something that cannot ever be eaten because use of it on food is prohibited--and the client can't ask a baker to do it, nor can a baker transfer the liability for doing it to a caterer or client. If it's not for use on food, it's not for use on food. A gold leaf colored dummy tier is ideal.
There are edible products that use FDA certified
additives. Does it look exactly like gold leaf? No, but it's gold, it's
shiny, it's the right product to be put on food, and it can be eaten.
Top of my list are the hybrid luster and hybrid sparkle metallics made
by Roxy & Rich [https://www.roxyandrich.com/food-coloring]. Never
any type of "highlighter dust".
We all can eat whatever we want--cornstarch in bulk, clay, lint, paper, crayons, fingernails--to our hearts content, but when we make food for others, that freedom goes away. And, even if an insistent client wants something that isn't OK, we are the ones who need to educate--and refuse, if necessary.
In
an extreme exaggeration, if I think that potting soil improves my
chocolate cupcakes, I can eat it, but I can't sell it. If my client
wants it, I can't do it, nor can I get the client to "sign off on it",
either. I can't transfer my liability to someone else and expect to be
scot-free should a problem arise.
Do I have an agenda? You bet I do. I answer every question that I can see about metallics, leafs, disco dust, and generic luster dust with the same information. I want people to use the correct products, so conversely, I want people to stop using incorrect products. I want consumers to be informed, too, and the best way for that to happen is for them to hear that something cannot/should not be done because there are regulations against it.
I have a huge uphill battle, and I know that, but I try to educate one question at a time. Obviously, people can take it, or leave it, but if 10 people read this thread and just 1 person "gets it", that's a good thing.
Happy Creating!
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