Parents of Dusty Wildman reveal terrifying ordeal after toddler recovers from near-death encounter inhaling cake decorating powder

A toddler who inhaled a metallic cake decorating powder while his mother was making a Bluey birthday cake is out of hospital, with his parents revealing details of their child’s terrifying near-death encounter. Gold Coast toddler Dusty Wildman suffered a life-threatening reaction after inhaling a metallic cake decorating powder and spent weeks in an induced coma, requiring surgery to remove the substance from his lungs. Doctors monitored inflammation in the 14-month-old’s lungs caused by the material, which solidified into a paste like substance after being inhaled. The young boy was placed in intensive care after the substance caused severe respiratory distress and required surgical intervention. Medical testing later confirmed the powder contained copper and zinc compounds, prompting questions over product labelling and its placement alongside edible decorating ingredients. His mum, Katie Robinson, on Monday revealed via social media that Dusty had been discharged from hospital. Speaking to media, Ms Robinson and her partner Chris Wildman spoke of their ordeal trying to keep their boy awake while waiting for paramedics. “He started to pass out, which was the hardest part,” Mr Wildman told 7News. “That’s when we kind of freaked out a lot.” Mr Wildman said he waited 20 minutes before getting into his car, trying to calm himself enough to safely drive to the hospital. He revealed he was still involved in a car accident on the way there - with another driver slamming into the back of his vehicle. “I just ripped the bumper off and kept going,” Mr Wildman said. “Threw it on the side of the road. Sorry to the council that had to deal with that.” Ms Robinson spoke of how she had to spend an hour alone watching her son be tended to by doctors and nurses. “It was awful just watching this whole team of people just putting tubes in,” she said. “Half the time he was crying and distressed and the other half he was just laying there.” In her latest update, Ms Robinson said her son will need to continue with asthma therapy and medication to help the inflammation in his lungs go down. “The main thing is he is ok! That’s the best outcome,” she wrote in her post. “It’s honestly blown us away how much support we have had from loved ones and strangers. Our boy has been so, so loved. “We’re looking forward to sleeping in our own bed tonight and spending some much-needed quality time as a family.” Meanwhile, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recalled the product that has been sold at cake decorating stores nationwide since 2019. The ACCC warned the products that come in shades of gold, silver and copper should only be used to decorate removable ornaments on cakes and are not supposed to be consumed. “These cake decorating powders may contain copper and zinc dust which can be toxic if inhaled or ingested,” an ACCC spokesman said. “Consumers risk serious harm if the powder is inhaled or ingested. An incident has occurred resulting in the hospitalisation of a young child.” Authorities urged people to call triple-0 if a person inhaled or ingested one of the cake decorating powders and had difficulty breathing. “Stop using these products immediately and keep out of reach of children,” a spokesman said. “Return to the place of purchase for a full refund.” Consumers were urged to contact Crumb Australia for more information about the recall.