Is aluminum foil harmful to our health?
No, aluminum foil itself is not harmful to our health. However, as a precaution, highly acidic products or foods containing large amounts of salt should not be stored or grilled in aluminum foil. Acids or salts - such as those from sliced apples, gherkins, feta cheese or sausages - can release aluminum ions from the foil, which may transfer (migrate) into the food. This is an aspect that the manufacturer clearly points out on the packaging. The aim is to ensure that the migration limit of five milligrams per kilogram of food set by the European Council as a precautionary measure is not exceeded.
Aluminum foil: the all-rounder in the home
Aluminum foil is an indispensable feature in our kitchens: the packaging material effectively protects against light, oxygen, moisture and bacteria. Aluminum foil is a so-called "absolute barrier" compared to other packaging materials such as cling film or baking paper. Due to its properties, aluminum foil can extend the shelf life of food, thereby making a significant contribution to avoiding food waste. By the way: It is for this reason that aluminum foil is also often used as one of many components in composite packaging systems, such as the material used to package UHT milk. The thickness of the aluminum foil here can be only 0.006 mm, in other words, even thinner than a human hair.
Aluminum in our bodies
Aluminum is all around us: we consume it every day. As the third most abundant element in the earth's crust, it also finds its way into food crops and our drinking water supply - which is why it is a natural ingredient in many of the foods we consume, such as tea, salads or chocolate. By the way: by far the largest part of our intake of this natural element, over 60%, is through unprocessed food, followed by food additives, which account for 40% of our intake. Only a small amount (up to 4%) enters our bodies through uncoated aluminum products such as household utensils, grill pans or aluminum foil.
