Can you store food in tin foil? This method is so common that many people do not even question it. Meanwhile, experts note that in many cases, the use of aluminum foil can even be harmful. However, this does not mean that we should immediately throw it out of the kitchen cabinet.

Foil (aluminum foil) is a product that proves to be very useful during the festive season. This applies both to cooking and baking, as well as to the subsequent storage of food. Many people also use it regularly throughout the year, e.g. for packing ten to work or school. However, sometimes tin foil carries certain risks and exactly how you use the product is key.

Why not use foil? Experts emphasize the role of one important aspect

The potential harm of aluminum foil mainly concerns situations where we use it to store food. As the Southern Living website points out, even the tightest foil wrapping doesn’t completely protect food from air.

“Toil alone cannot create a completely airtight seal because it is not inherently adhesive and does not conform perfectly to the surface.”

– explains Zachary Cartwright, Chief Food Scientist at AQUALAB by Addium and a member of the Faculty of Food Safety and Quality Management at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), quoted by Southern Living.

This means that food protected by foil is still exposed to moisture loss and bacterial growth. This can lead to food poisoning if poisoning occurs, for example in botulism (clostridium botulinum). Although these are isolated cases, we should not ignore these risks. So how can we eliminate them?

Can snacks be wrapped in foil? We should remember that when reaching for our favorite silver cutlery

  • If foil is a suitable protection for us and we don’t want to give it up completely, we should limit its use to a maximum of two days. It is a good idea to double wrap food or use cling film instead of aluminum foil. Either way, our snacks should be perfectly safe even if we make them the night before.
  • On the other hand Cartwright recommends avoiding combining foil with acidic or salty foods, as this can cause aluminum to be released into the foodwhich has an adverse effect on health.
  • It is also important not to pack hot food and wait for it to cool down.
  • People looking for effective and safe food storage solutions should use protection that guarantees full protection against contact with air. For example plastic bags or hermetically sealed containers.
  • They should always store leftovers in suitable conditions, best in the fridge.

Where to throw away the foil? We remind you of the separation rules