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Aluminium intake through food
Aluminium occurs naturally in food and drinking water. Most unpro-
cessed foods contain less than 5 mg of aluminium per kg of food. Ac-
cording to the EFSA, higher concentrations were detected in mush-
rooms, spinach, radish, chard, garden lettuce and lamb's lettuce, tea
leaves, herbs, cocoa and cocoa products, as well as spices, offal and
seafood. Processed foods may contain a higher aluminium content if
food additives containing aluminium were used. According to the EFSA,
bread, cakes and other bakery products – most commonly biscuits and
cookies – as well as candied fruits, dairy products, sausages, high-
sugar foods and baking mixtures contain an average of 5 to 10 mg of
aluminium per kg of food.
The EFSA conducted an exposure estimate for the European population
in 2008 according to which, depending on eating habits, an average
of approx. 0.2 to 1.5 mg aluminium per kg body weight were ingested
through food every week by an adult weighing 60 kg. Children and ado-
lescents showed high intake values (97.5
th
percentile) in the range of
0.7 to 2.3 mg per kg body weight and week. According to this EFSA data
from 2008, consumers already used up the TWI through food. Current
legal regulations should ensure that the TWI value is not exceeded. For
this reason, the use of certain additives containing aluminium, for exam-
ple, has been banned since 2014.
The BfR is working on the assumption that aluminium levels in the popu-
lation in general have already dropped significantly through this meas-
ure. The effects have not yet been reflected in current data, however,
and have therefore not been quantifiable up to now. The BfR will make a
new exposure estimation as soon as values are available on this.
Acids and salt could release aluminium
from consumer products such as aluminium
grilling trays that is then transferred to food.
How is aluminium intake legally regulated?
Several recommendations and regulations are intended to limit the
use of aluminium in food, drinking water and items of everyday use.
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A new regulation regarding the conditions of use and the use
levels for aluminium-containing food additives has been in force
since 2014. It restricts the use of food additives containing
aluminium (Regulation [EU] No. 380/2012 amending Annex II
to Regulation [EC] No. 1333/2008).
>
The German drinking water regulation sets a limit value for alu-
minium in drinking water of 0.2 mg per litre (Regulation on the
Quality of Water for Human Consumption – TrinkwV 2001, Annex 3).
>
According to the European Council's resolution on the use of
metals and alloys that have contact with food, the release of
aluminium into food should not exceed 5 mg per kg.
Main Topic 2014
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Aluminium in everyday life
