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BfR Consumer Monitor 2017 Special - Aluminium in the food sector
Project
Project code: BfR-RIKO-08-20171004
Contract period: 01.10.2017
- 28.02.2018
Purpose of research: Public relations
Aluminium is the most commonly occurring material on earth. It is ingested by humans through various channels. Intake is not only via food and consumer products containing aluminium, such as tableware and food packaging, but also through drinking water, cosmetic products such as aluminium-containing antiperspirants and pharmaceutical products. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has derived a tolerable weekly intake of 1 milligram aluminium per kilogramme bodyweight for oral intake with food, but this value can be exceeded in some cases. For this reason, aluminium intake should be minimised and people should seek to avoid every additional intake of the substance.
In a research project in 2017, the BfR examined the transfer of aluminium from uncoated menu trays to food. It was ascertained here that significant quantities of aluminium ions are released from these menu trays and transfer to foods while keeping them warm.
The BfR took this as an opportunity to conduct a representative survey on the subject of aluminium in packaging materials and containers with food contact in order to record the attitudes, risk perception and knowledge of the general public.
The results of the survey were published in a booklet. A PDF version is also available on the BfR website:
https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/bfr-verbrauchermonitor-2017-spezial-aluminium-im-lebensmittelbereich.pdf
Section overview
Subjects
- Physiology of Nutrition
- Food Processing
- Toxicology
