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Environmental Health
Hi everyone I hope you can help me. I just had my first environmental health inspection and all seemed to go well until I showed him one of my cakes which I made in the shape of a brass bed. He asked how I had made the bed frame and I told him I had used florist wire. I continued to explain to him that the wire wasn’t touching the actual cake and would not pose any health issues. He said I would have to be investigated for using florist wire on cakes. I explained that all cake decorators used florist wire on cakes as it is part of the tools of the job but he was unwilling to be reasoned with. Please can anyone clarify this for me as I am really in a state of panic now.
Hi Deborah
I know its easy to say but try not to panic. I have a small business cake decorating and have been inspected also so understand the process. I don’t know any cake decorator who won’t have used wires so I think the inspector you had was being very over zealous and probably knew very little about how they are used. I either use posy pics or straws which I tend to fill with royal icing to keep them secure. I always ensure the customer fully understands any decorations on wires such as stars etc etc are inedible.
In my opinion being inspected further would go in your favour as any investigation would highlight wires are used for the majority of cakes and as long as you can show you understand the risks and measures you take to avoid this you’ll be fine.
Hope this helps a little x
Hi
Even I am new to this field and cake dec is just my hobby (no business) so I can only say ” just relax” . I know somebody experience here in forum will answer to your ques , there is always a solution on this forum.
However after your question I did search on google and trust me I don’t think there would be any cake decorator who has not used wires , that is why they are sold on cake decoration sites . If you are using suitable methods to avoid contract with cake like posy pick , I think it’s fine .
People on other different forums have accepted using posy pics, drinking straws and coffee stirring straws .
Hope somebody will answer soon to cool you down
All the best
Hi scarlet, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my query. I completely agree with you and now that I’ve had a few days to calm down I know it isn’t anything to worry about. I think because it was my first inspection I was really nervous and when he mentioned investigating the use of wires I panicked. I will let you all know how it turns out and hopefully someone else can learn from my experience. Thanks again x
