Do not use aluminum foil for acidic or saline foods

Aluminum foil should not be used to cover moist, acid or salt food on serving plates. Because the films can dissolve and give off aluminum components to, for example, fish, tomatoes, rhubarb or gherkins. Although this note can be found on the products, but some manufacturers qualify him with the addition: "aluminum components are not harmful to health".

Better not use aluminum foil for salty or acid. Image: photocrew - fotolia

According to a decision of the Working Group Food Chemistry Experts of the Federal States (ALS) and the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), this trivial statement is not permissible. Health risks of excessive aluminum intake can not be ruled out. In the discussion are primarily effects on the nervous system, fertility and bone development.

The European Food Safety Authority has derived a tolerable weekly intake of 1 milligram of aluminum per kilogram of body weight for oral ingestion.

Consumer advocates demand that manufacturers label their packaging correctly and legislators create clear rules. An indication of safe and proper use in accordance with the EU Commodities Regulation could be, for example: "Do not bring aluminum foil into contact with moist, acid or saline foods. Slides may dissolve as a result of local element formation. "In addition, the safety instructions for customers should be clearly visible when shopping, says the consumer center Hesse. Whether "local element education", however, contributes to consumer education, is an open question.

Harald Seitz from the aid infodienst e. V. focuses on the intended use: "Each packaging material has specific advantages and disadvantages" and gives the tip "baked goods, cooked foods or chocolate retain their aroma and moisture in aluminum packages. But there are enough alternatives for other foods. "

Aluminum is soluble under the influence of acid or salt. For this reason, aluminum packaging and containers for food such as beverage cans or yogurt cup lids are coated on the inside. (Heike Kreutz, aid)