Food safety experts have expressed concerns regarding viral cake swap and cake picnic events gaining popularity across Australia due to potential hygiene risks. An investigation has been initiated into a recent event held in Brisbane.
Brisbane Event Under Investigation
A cake picnic, branded 'Let Them Eat Cake' and organized by Doughy Events, took place in Brisbane on Saturday, January 17. The event, advertised as Brisbane's largest cake swap, charged attendees $35 and anticipated 1,000 cakes.
Attendees reported cakes remained uncovered for several hours in hot conditions. Participants, such as Kayla Nemaia, observed cakes melting and appearing "droopy" after being left in a non-air-conditioned room for two hours before sampling began.
Participant Concerns
Another participant, Samruddhi Phadke, highlighted issues with ingredient transparency and cross-contamination. Many cakes lacked full ingredient lists, posing risks for individuals with allergies and dietary requirements. A scarcity of knives led to the same utensils being used for multiple cakes.
Attendees were required to agree to a waiver releasing Doughy Events and its personnel from liability related to food consumption and allergy risks.
Official Response and Expert Warning
The Brisbane City Council, responsible for regulating food businesses, has commenced an investigation into the cake swap. The council reportedly received eight complaints from Queensland Health and will assess whether the event adhered to food licensing regulations.
Lydia Buchtmann, CEO of the Food Safety Information Council, described such events as a "recipe for disaster," emphasizing the unknown hygiene standards of home kitchens and the significant risk of illness transmission. Ms. Buchtmann warned that food poisoning can be severe, potentially life-threatening for vulnerable populations, and could burden hospitals.
Future Events and Attendee Outlook
Doughy Events has planned additional cake swap events in Sydney and Canberra for the upcoming month. While some attendees, like Ms. Phadke, expressed intentions to participate in future events, others, including Ms. Nemaia, cautioned potential attendees about the risks, particularly for those with allergies, citing a lack of consumer safeguards. Doughy Events has been contacted for comment.