{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000101","name":"Aluminum Foil and Aluminum Cookware (Acidic Food Leaching)","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"cookware","tags":["aluminum","foil","cookware","leaching","acidic food","Alzheimer","debated"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Aluminum foil and uncoated aluminum cookware leach aluminum into food, especially acidic foods (tomato, citrus, vinegar), salty foods, and during prolonged cooking/storage. JECFA tolerable weekly intake: 2 mg/kg body weight. A single serving of tomato sauce cooked in aluminum can deliver 6-24 mg aluminum (well within TWI for adults but relevant for children). Alzheimer's-aluminum link remains debated — multiple meta-analyses show no causal relationship, but aluminum accumulates in brain tissue.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"insufficient_data","synthesis_confidence":0,"synthesis_method":"none","context_source":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"individuals with impaired renal function, dialysis patients","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Aluminum leaching from cookware into acidic food","Alzheimer's-aluminum link debated but not established (no causal evidence)","Renal patients cannot excrete aluminum efficiently — accumulation risk"],"exposure_routes":"Oral via food cooked/stored in aluminum"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Cooking acidic foods in aluminum pots (tomato sauce: 6-24 mg Al/serving)","Wrapping acidic food in aluminum foil (lemon, tomato)","Storing food in aluminum containers","Daily exposure across multiple aluminum sources (cookware, antacids, baking)"],"notes":"JECFA TWI: 2 mg/kg/week (140 mg/week for 70 kg adult). Normal dietary aluminum intake: 7-9 mg/day. Cooking tomato sauce in aluminum adds 3-6 mg per serving — within normal variation. Alzheimer's Association: 'studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer's.' Anodized aluminum (Calphalon) has oxide layer reducing leaching."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Avoid cooking or storing acidic foods (tomato, citrus, vinegar) in uncoated aluminum. Anodized aluminum reduces leaching. For most people, aluminum cookware exposure is well within JECFA TWI. Dialysis patients should avoid aluminum cookware entirely.","safer_alternatives":["Stainless steel cookware for acidic foods","Anodized aluminum (oxide layer reduces leaching)","Glass or ceramic for food storage","Cast iron or enameled cast iron for acidic cooking"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"International","regulation":"JECFA aluminum TWI","citation":"JECFA WHO/FAO","requirements":"Tolerable weekly intake: 2 mg/kg body weight.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"WHO/FAO","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Aluminum is infinitely recyclable.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"5-20_years"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000162","compound_name":null,"role":"base_material_class","typical_concentration":"99%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["aluminum foil and aluminum cookware (acidic food leaching)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Rubbermaid","manufacturer":"Newell Brands","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Food storage and kitchen brand"},{"brand":"Pyrex","manufacturer":"Corning","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Glass food storage and bakeware"},{"brand":"OXO","manufacturer":"Helen of Troy","market_position":"premium","notable":"Kitchen tools and storage"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"JECFA aluminum TWI (JECFA WHO/FAO)","jurisdiction":"International","citation":"JECFA WHO/FAO","id":"src_f73368cb"},{"id":"src_001","type":"reference","title":"ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 20859-73-8","url":"https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiledocs/index.html","notes":"Toxicological profile and health effects summary","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000162"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:20:48.399Z"}}