Is it safe to use aluminum boxes to store food

Is it safe to use aluminum boxes to store food? After investigating various research reports(According to Food Network, the human body has ways to remove excess aluminum, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers aluminum safe for use in food.), I can tell you: it is safe. But this sentence has a premise. Not any standard aluminum box is safe for food.

Before we talk about this topic, let’s first look at whether aluminum cookware is harmful for daily use.

Excerpted from Quora

Aluminum cookware has been around for a long time. The popularity of aluminum pots and pans is mainly based on two things: They are cheap, and conduct heat very effectively. In the 1960s, safety concerns began to be raised over possible leaching of aluminum into food.

The only poison that can leach into food by cooking with aluminum is the aluminum itself. The reason this became a concern is that large amounts of the material have been found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Which proves that aluminum crosses the blood/brain barrier. But this does not establish a causal link to say definitively that aluminum in the brain causes Alzheimer’s disease.

The body derives no benefits from aluminum, and in large quantities, it is harmful. The question then is one of quantity. If the food is not highly acidic or basic on the pH scale, less leaching occurs. “Leaching is most likely when the foods being cooked or stored are highly basic, like baking soda, or highly acidic, like tomato sauce, lemon juice, oranges or vinegar,” according to the Tree Hugger website. In the case of tomato sauce, 3 to 6 milligrams of aluminum have been found per 100 g servings after being cooked in an aluminum pan. This is approximately 10 percent of the aluminum the average person consumes in a day.

Think

This is the disadvantage of aluminum as a cookware for cooking food, so does it have the same problem as packaging? Of course not! Aluminum boxes specially used to hold food have very high requirements on the inner layers.

Aluminum boxes containing food must meet food safety standards, such as the requirements of the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration). At the same time, different types of food have different requirements for inner coatings. Greasy foods may require oil-resistant inner coatings, while other sweet foods such as candies have different requirements for inner coatings.

Difference

The difference between the inner coating of aluminum boxes for food and the inner coating of other items.

It should be noted that the inner coating of aluminum boxes containing other items does not need to meet food safety standards. Therefore, for aluminum boxes containing food, it is important to choose the appropriate inner coating to ensure the safety and quality of food.

Inner coating of aluminum boxes for food:

Food safety: The inner coating needs to be certified as safe for food contact and comply with relevant regulations and standards. Such as the requirements of the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

Anti-corrosion and sealing: The inner coating must provide good sealing and anti-corrosion properties to protect the food from the external environment and extend the shelf life of the food.

Adapt to food types: Different types of food may have special requirements for the inner coating. For example, acidic foods (such as lemon juice) may require an acid-resistant inner coating. while fatty foods (such as fried foods) may require an oil-resistant inner coating.

Inner coating of aluminum boxes for other items:

Functional requirements: It may focus more on achieving specific functional requirements. Such as anti-corrosion, wear resistance, heat insulation, anti-scratch, etc. This depends on the characteristics of the contents and the requirements for protection.

Appearance and Decoration: Depending on the needs of the product, undercoatings can be used to provide good appearance and decoration. This may include color, texture, shine, etc. to add to the product’s appeal and sense of quality.

Object Protection: The inner coating should provide moisture resistance, oxidation resistance and scratch resistance. Which can protect against damage or corrosion from the external environment.

Notice

Aluminum boxes can be safe for storing food, but there are a few things to note:

Food contact materials: Choose aluminum boxes with food contact safety certifications. Ensure that the inner coating meets relevant food safety standards, such as the requirements of the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This ensures that the inner layer does not migrate harmful substances to food.

Condition of the inner coating: Regularly check the condition of the inner coating of the aluminum box. If the inner coating shows signs of damage, peeling, or rust, the aluminum box should be discontinued to prevent the aluminum from coming into contact with food.

Special Food Needs: Certain special types of foods may react with aluminum, especially acidic foods. Acidic foods may react chemically with aluminum, causing aluminum ions to dissolve into the food. Therefore, for acidic foods or high-salt foods, it is best to choose containers of other materials.

Storage times and conditions: Do not store food in aluminum boxes for long periods. Long-term storage may lead to the dissolution of aluminum ions, thereby affecting the quality and safety of food. In addition, avoid storing food containing corrosive substances such as salt and acid in aluminum boxes for a long time to prevent corrosion.

Generally speaking, choosing aluminum boxes that meet food safety standards, paying attention to the state of the inner coating and the special needs of the food. It can ensure that the aluminum boxes are relatively safe when storing food.

However, if there are higher requirements for food safety or special types of food are involved, you can consult us and we can design food boxes specifically for you. You can also check out our product homepage for more information.