Citation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 1956; 5(24): 1.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1956, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Los Angeles City Health Department has reported 4 cases of chemical poisoning following the ingestion of a decorated cake. Two persons complained of nausea one-half hour after eating the cake; the other two complained of headache and dizziness in about 2.5 hours. Three vomited and one had diarrhea from 7 to 10; hours later. All complained of metallic taste. The cake which was frosted and had special decoration was purchased from a local bakery. The decoration was a bronze coloring mixed with olive oil and buttercream. This coloring contains copper and aluminum. Chemical analysis of the decorative portion of the frosting showed 11,250 p.p.m. of copper.

(The Food and Drug Administration informs us that this metallic pigment Is capable of causing illness and attention is currently being directed to this matter with the object of causing a discontinuance of distribution of this coloring material for food use.)