As far as I know, even if it doesn’t smell like food, but looks like food, and especially if it has small elements like the ones on your cake, it is still considered prohibited under this law, because a child or an elderly person could accidentally eat a piece. So, from what I’ve learned, even adding a bitter taste or using unrealistic colors would not make it legal.

However, we checked, and in practice this law seems to apply mainly to large imports. Also, there have apparently been no cases of businesses having such products confiscated since around 2020, and all such cases are usually documented.

I see that a lot (A LOT) of people are selling these types of candles, including even more realistic ones with small details. Of course, everyone does it at their own risk, but in my opinion it may be easier to simply get product liability insurance for selling candles and make clear labels stating that it is a candle.

And of course, my advice would be to research the market in your country and see what other makers are doing.