You already know it: aluminum foil is very practical in the kitchen. Thanks to its versatile nature, it can be used to clean the bottom of a pan, sharpen knives or line a pastry tray. And for many people, it is an ultra simple and economical means of preservation. So, although it seems harmless to you, this gesture can expose you to increased risks. Do you know why ?
Why shouldn’t leftover food be wrapped in aluminum foil and put in the freezer?
Did you know ? Storing your food in aluminum foil in the refrigerator or freezer poses a health risk. But it’s not the sheet itself that’s the problem… We’ll give you more details.
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Is using aluminum foil toxic? Yes, it’s even bad for your health!
A mold covered with aluminum foil. Source: spm
We all need oxygen to breathe and bacteria need air to multiply, it’s a fact! This is the case, for example, of bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Bacillus cereus, two unsavory names, which are the cause of foodborne illnesses. as the ANSES reminder. Thus, if we have the bad idea to leave a hot meal for more than two hours at room temperature, without surprises, bacteria will grow there quickly as the reminder this study…. But what does this have to do with our good aluminum foil?
According Lindsay Malon, dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, interviewed by Reader’s Digest, aluminum is not very airtight. Result of the races: the air will thus penetrate inside the containers thus favoring the proliferation of bacteria.
Want to keep food longer? The best thing to do is to put them in suitable containers, according to the specialist. So we forget to wrap a dish with aluminum foil!
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Storing food in the fridge. Source: spm
You now know it: aluminum foil is not effective for preserving your food for a long time. So what can you do to minimize the risk of food poisoning? Here are some safe storage rules!
- Always store leftover food in shallow, airtight containers. This is useful for speeding up the cooling process and limiting the proliferation of bacteria. Take for example, the containers of Good Coo Meal Prep snacks, which are practical to use in addition to being ultra-effective in protecting food. An online shopper seems to be delighted with these containers. ” I love that ! They are sturdy and lightweight and provide perfect portions. I especially like the slim design that allows me to slip one into my purse or lunchbox without worrying about it opening or taking up a lot of space,” he explains.
- We opt for the vacuum sealer: This countertop appliance works with food grade plastic food packaging. “This is the first vacuum sealer I have ever owned. Super simple to use with good instructions. A guide is included to inform you of the settings to use when vacuum sealing your food. I have used this machine so many times already and we absolutely love it! So far we have planted vegetables from our garden to enjoy throughout the winter season and I love it to extend the shelf life of lettuce, tomato and berry products,” says another buyer on the amazon site.
- Food films that adhere well to the surface of the containers are also preferred. And why not try the vacuum preservation technique? The principle is simple: thanks to a manual or electric pump, the air is extracted from the container, which considerably extends the shelf life of the food.
- We put the dishes in the refrigerator two hours after having consumed them. Exceeded this deadline, we have no other choice but to throw them in the trash.
- We learn about foods that should not be put in the refrigerator such as eggs or fruits and vegetables such as bananas, avocados, peaches, pears, mangoes, oranges, onions etc.
- Do not store food for more than two to three days in the refrigerator. Of course, this duration can be longer when they are kept in the freezer. “If you still have plenty of food left, the smartest thing would be to put one portion in the fridge, then pack another in airtight containers to put in the freezer,” explains the dietitian. “And then when you’re ready to eat it, take it out”
Why shouldn’t aluminum be put on food during baking?
Fish on a dish covered with aluminum foil. Source: spm
As you will have understood, dear readers, it is better to avoid keeping food in the fridge with aluminum foil. What about baking? Scientists from EFSA, the European food safety monitoring body, have issued an opinion on this subject. According to the researchers, food is the main source of aluminum exposure. However, there is no indication whether the health effects of aluminum are caused by cooking, the presence of aluminum-containing food additives, or the presence of this material in cookware. Either way, the impact is real! Other researchers such as Essam Zubaidy, a specialist in chemical engineering at the American University of Sharjah, described in a study the effects of aluminum on brain and respiratory functions. If you expose aluminum to high cooking temperatures, it will find its way onto your plates more easily. And that’s not all ! When it comes into contact with acid solutions like lemon juice or tomato sauce, these foods absorb it like a sponge!
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