Kitchen staples include aluminum foil. But, you may have heard that cooking in a hot oven might cause chemicals included in foil to leach into the meal. Is this accurate, and should you be worried about the possible effects this may have on your health?
What Is Aluminum?
The element aluminum is normally found all around us in our air, water, and manufactured goods like deodorants, cosmetics, and medicines. We eat aluminum most frequently in our food, and the majority of it comes from goods like aluminum foil or cooking utensils. Foil in the United States is made up of “98.5% aluminum with the balance mostly from iron and silicon to give strength and puncture resistance,” according to the USDA website. Depending on local rules, aluminum foil is also freezer safe and recyclable.
What risks could there be?
There was a belief that aluminum cookware or beverage cans caused Alzheimer’s disease in the 1960s and 1970s, but there is no evidence for this. According to the National Institute of Health, there are no conclusive links between high nutritional aluminum intake and diseases, but high cooking temperatures or the use of salt, vinegar, or other highly acidic components are likely to cause the metal to transfer into your food. As the majority of the aluminum will pass through the digestive system and ultimately end up in the toilet, the amount is typically regarded as harmless and not dangerous.
Is There a Temperature Too High for Foil Cooking?
In the oven and for direct heat grilling, aluminum foil is safe to use up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Note that lining your oven with aluminum is not advised because it could harm the heating elements in the oven. Place your dish or object on a sheet pan coated in aluminum foil if you’re worried about spills or drips to prevent a mess. With parchment paper, you can safely cook food at high temperatures of up to 425 degrees F. (220 degrees C). Use aluminum foil packs or containers as instructed for safe grilling.
In conclusion, it is safe to eat the quantity of aluminum that is mixed into food during high-heat cooking. Use parchment paper or lower heat if you’re trying to lower the number of extra chemicals in your diet for any reason.
