Russian court fines baker after metal wire in cake breaks customer's tooth

A court in Khabarovsk has ordered a local confectioner to pay compensation after a customer broke a tooth on a cake containing a hidden metal wire. The man filed a lawsuit, claiming the product was unsafe and lacked proper warnings about the dangerous component.

The Kirovsky District Court ruled in his favour, awarding funds for dental treatment, moral damages, and additional costs.

The incident occurred when the customer bit into a marzipan-covered barbell figurine inside the cake. Unbeknownst to him, the decoration contained a stiff metal floral wire, which caused a tooth to break. He later sued the confectioner for failing to ensure product safety or provide warnings about the metal part.

The court found the business liable for the unsafe product. It ordered the defendant to cover $105 for dental repairs and $217 for moral damages. A further $160 fine was imposed, along with $9.50 for postal expenses. The confectioner must also pay a $43 state fee to the Khabarovsk Urban District's municipal budget.

This case follows a broader trend in Russian courts, where food producers face stricter scrutiny for safety violations. While consumer protection laws have tightened after high-profile contamination cases, enforcement remains uneven across different regions.

The ruling highlights the risks of unmarked hazards in food products. The customer received full compensation for his injuries and related costs. The case adds to growing judicial pressure on manufacturers to ensure product safety and transparency.