Aluminium Foil Side Effects: Nowadays, people are choosing things in their lifestyle based on social media, and aluminum foil is one of them. Let us tell you how dangerous it is.

Disadvantages of aluminium foil

Is Aluminium Foil Safe for Food Storage? Do you also store cooked food in aluminum foil or aluminum containers? Using aluminum foil to wrap leftover rotis, cover vegetables, or pack lunch boxes is common in most households. It seems like an easy, lightweight, and quick method. But have you ever wondered how safe this habit is for your health? Let us explain it in detail. 

What harm does this cause?

According to a study published in the journal Food Bioscience in December 2024, when fish was roasted at high temperatures in aluminum foil, the metal from the foil migrated into the fish. Researchers found that the more foil used, the greater the amount of metal absorbed into the food.

Another study looked at how aluminum foil affects food during baking. It found that the aluminum content of several food items, such as salmon, mackerel, chicken, pork, tomatoes, and cheese, increased by up to 40 times.

What do experts say?

In this regard, doctors say that improper use of aluminum foil and containers can pose a health risk. Experts say that aluminum reacts particularly strongly with sour, salty, and spicy foods, such as tomatoes, lemons, vinegar, pickles, and gravies. When such foods are stored or cooked in foil or aluminum containers, the metal can leach into the food.

Doctors warn that long-term exposure to high levels of aluminum can lead to bone problems, kidney strain, and nerve problems. This risk is even greater in kidney patients. 

Raipur's renowned oncologist and cancer surgeon, Dr. Jayesh Sharma, drew attention to this issue by sharing a video on social media. In the caption of the video, he wrote, "How safe or harmful is it to wrap hot roti in aluminum foil? We use it daily to pack lunch and store food. But there is also debate about whether aluminum, when heated, can mix with food and cause kidney damage."

How to keep food safe?

According to experts, avoid using aluminum foil or containers for everyday cooking or long-term storage. Avoid storing sour, salty, and spicy foods in foil. Store cooked food in steel, glass, or ceramic containers. If using foil for baking or grilling, place butter paper or baking paper between the food and the foil. Also, do not reuse disposable aluminum containers. 

Always remember not to adopt incorrect food storage practices due to trends seen on social media. Health-related matters require extreme caution. Choose safe options for yourself and your family based on accurate information and expert advice.