Ensuring Food Safety For Wedding Cakes: The Best Practices for Combining Flowers on Cakes

Krissy Quinton
May 9, 2024
3 min read

Can You Still Use Fresh Flowers on Wedding Cakes? Here's What You Need to Know

If you’ve been researching wedding cake inspiration on Instagram or Pinterest, chances are you’ve come across beautiful designs using fresh flowers. They add a romantic, natural touch and are a firm favourite with many of my couples. But if you’ve also heard whispers that fresh flowers are being "banned" on cakes… let me put your mind at ease.

As a wedding cake designer and cake flower specialist, I want to give you a clear and reassuring update about where things currently stand, especially if you're planning to have fresh florals on your cake or you're a cake maker who offers this.

What’s Going On With the Food Standards Agency (FSA)?

In 2023, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) began working on a new document called “Floristry and Food”, a guidance document aimed at helping florists, caterers, cake makers, and other professionals safely use flowers with food.

I had the privilege of being part of the stakeholder review panel and offered direct feedback to the FSA on their draft guidance back in February 2024.

Since then, there’s been a lot of confusion online, including rumours that fresh flowers on cakes will be banned, or that new laws are coming into effect.

Let me be completely clear.

There is no law banning fresh flowers on cakes.
The FSA has confirmed they are not introducing new legislation around cake decorating.

What’s being developed is guidance, not legislation. In fact, the draft document specifically states that it "does not represent an interpretation of the law". (Yes we are still waiting!)

So What Is This Guidance About?

This guidance is essentially a thorough checklist of food safety considerations when using fresh florals and foliage with food, particularly cakes. It’s been designed to help florists, cake makers, and caterers think about things we may not always consider, such as:

Where the flowers were grown and whether pesticides were used
Whether the plant is toxic or safe for food contact
How the flowers are applied, are food-safe methods and materials being used?
Whether florists and cake makers are communicating clearly and sharing essential information
How to prevent cross-contamination or harm from non-edible elements

These are all important questions, especially when that beautiful bouquet is being placed directly on something your guests will eat.

Why It Matters for Couples Planning Their Wedding

When you’re choosing your cake designer, you want someone who not only creates a stunning centrepiece, but also puts food safety first.

I work with florists every single week and ensure every flower used on your cake is safe, secure, and aligns beautifully with your wedding style. Whether it’s a semi-naked cake with soft meadow florals or a sleek modern design with structured sprays, I know how to make flowers work for both design and safety.

So yes, you absolutely can still have fresh flowers on your wedding cake. But it’s important that it’s done properly, by someone who understands both cake and florals.

What About Cake Makers or Florists?

If you’re a cake designer or florist and feeling confused by the FSA guidance, I completely understand. I’ve read the full draft and offered detailed feedback to the FSA, and I’m staying in touch with them as they rework the guidance based on all stakeholder input.

I have a Cake Flower Mastery Course!

It includes:

How to identify safe vs toxic plants
Best practice for applying fresh flowers to cakes
How to liaise with florists effectively
Safe materials and methods for food contact
And more.

In the meantime, you can download my free guide, listing the most commonly used toxic flowers and foliage to avoid. This is ideal for cake makers, florists, and caterers alike.

Fresh flowers can absolutely be a part of your wedding cake. That’s what I specialise in.

If you're planning your wedding and would love to explore cake flower ideas or find out more about what’s possible for your cake design, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to keep it natural and rustic or go all-out with a luxurious floral cascade, I can help bring your ideas to life safely and beautifully.

Get in touch to chat about your cake design and flowers:

Contact Me

And if you're a fellow cake maker wanting to up skill and learn more about floral safety, food contact, and design tips, you’ll find more information and resources — plus my Cake Flower Mastery course — over at The Cake Business Lounge.