A Gold Coast toddler is in an induced coma after he inhaled a common cake decorating product while his mum was making a birthday cake.

Fourteen-month-old Dusty Wildman was playing beside his mum, professional baker Katie Robinson, as she prepared a Bluey cake for her friend Rochelle, when he managed to grab some gold dust powder.

The powder, commonly used in cake decorating, turns into a paste when mixed with water. Rochelle said that when Dusty inhaled it, it quickly blocked his lungs.

“One minute I’m baking and the next I am trying to keep my baby conscious,” mum Katie told the Courier Mail.

The toddler was unresponsive and was rushed to hospital. Dusty has had surgery to clear his lungs, but is in an induced coma.

Katie told The Courier Mail that she now realises the decorating powder contains copper, and says it’s too dangerous to be sold as a cake decoration.

“It was so quick. He was just playing around like he usually does when he suddenly got his hands on the dust,” she said.

“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.”

A fundraiser has been started by Rochelle, with Katie and her partner Chris both self-employed and unable to work while they’re by Dusty’s hospital bed.

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