Advertisement

Toddler in coma after inhaling baking product

Dustin Wildman, 14 months, inhaled gold dust powder while his mum was making a Bluey cake in the kitchen.

Dustin Wildman, 14 months, inhaled gold dust powder while his mum was making a Bluey cake in the kitchen. Photo: Supplied

A Gold Coast toddler is in an induced coma after inhaling toxic gold powder while his mum was making a Bluey birthday cake.

Dustin Wildman, 14 months, needs help to breathe after inhaling the dust on Friday afternoon.

His mother Katie Robinson, a professional baker in Tamborine, told The Courier Mail she now realises the products contain copper and are too dangerous to be sold as cake decorations.

Dustin was rummaging through a kitchen drawer when he pulled out a small vial of the decorative dust and inhaled it.

“It was so quick. He was just playing around like he usually does when he suddenly got his hands on the dust,” Robinson told The Courier Mail.

“It really should never be marketed as a baking product and shouldn’t be in anyone’s kitchen – I had no idea it could be so dangerous. It should definitely be labelled as toxic.”

Dusty Wildman

Dusty Wildman is in an induced coma and may have to have surgery. Photo: GoFundMe

The product is marketed as a lustre dust that is non-toxic and suitable for ornamental purposes. The label states it is “for use on removable” parts.

Robinson has contacted the supplier, which said it would immediately remove the item from sale and contact stockists.

She told The Courier Mail that ­Dustin started to choke, had trouble breathing, started ­crying and was distressed when he became unresponsive and ­floppy.

“One minute I’m baking and the next I am trying to keep my baby conscious,” she said.

Toddler mother

Dustin’s mother, Katie Robinson, is a professional baker in Tamborine. Photo: Supplied

Dustin was rushed to the Queensland Children’s Hospital by ambulance. He had urgent surgery to clear his lungs and was placed in an induced coma.

“We have to wait to make sure his kidneys and liver are OK,” Robinson said.

“This has turned our lives upside down as the doctors say it is a watch and wait situation.”

“The doctors are as shocked as we are about the damage that has been done,” she told The Courier Mail.

Dustin was a healthy, active toddler before the tragic incident, she said.

Robinson and her partner are self-employed and have had to relocate to be close to their son in hospital.

A GoFundMe fundraiser for Dusty has been started.

Want to see more stories from The New Daily in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set The New Daily as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "The New Daily". That's it.
Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2026 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.