Experts are warning that using aluminium foil to wrap leftovers may pose serious health risks due to its inability to create an airtight seal, according to The Sun. Dr. Zachary Cartwright, a biochemist and food safety expert from the USA, cautions that aluminium foil cannot prevent air exposure because it “doesn’t conform perfectly to surfaces” and “cannot create a completely airtight seal because it’s not inherently adhesive,” making it ineffective in preventing bacterial growth on food.
According to Dr. Cartwright, the presence of air allows potentially dangerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Bacillus cereus to grow, creating a suitable environment for microorganisms to multiply. “No matter how tightly you manage to wrap your food with aluminium foil, some air will still get in,” he notes. As a result, food wrapped in aluminium foil is at greater risk of infection by dangerous bacteria, including Staphylococcus.
Primrose Freestone, a senior lecturer in clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, urges people to always use airtight containers when storing leftovers, as reported by The Scottish Sun. She warns that those who don’t use airtight containers are at risk of “potentially life-threatening food poisoning” if they have not stored and reheated leftovers correctly.
Experts state that using airtight containers or zip-lock plastic bags to store food is much safer, as they are designed to limit the interaction of food with oxygen and delay spoilage. Zachary Cartwright emphasizes that airtight containers with lids for food storage are designed to limit the interaction of food with oxygen, which aluminium foil cannot do.
Furthermore, Dr. Cartwright warns that improper aluminium foil storage can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses such as Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogenes, as The Scottish Sun stated. While these pathogens are rare, both can result in serious illness. Dr. Cartwright also cautions that certain foods and aluminium can cause chemical reactions and contamination. Aluminium can react with acidic or salty foods, which can cause leaching of aluminium into food. This leaching could alter the food’s taste and increase aluminium intake. Frequent penetration of aluminium into the body is associated with neurotoxic developmental disorders, as well as damage to the kidneys, liver, and bones.
“If you must use aluminium to store food, you should limit it to short periods (no more than two days),” Dr. Cartwright said, according to The Sun. He also suggests double-wrapping food with foil or starting by wrapping the food in a layer of plastic wrap.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends storing individual foods in clean, sealed containers to avoid cross-contamination and bacteria and chemicals getting into the food. The FSA also advises following packet instructions on how to store food, such as in a fridge or freezer, and ensuring fridges and freezers are set to the recommended temperatures.
Experts emphasize that properly organizing the refrigerator is critical for preserving food freshness and preventing cross-contamination. Freezing may be a better choice than refrigerating for preventing dangerous microbes from growing on food, and it extends the shelf life of foods, ensuring they can be consumed safely.
In addition, households could save up to £1,000 ($1,260) annually by organizing their fridge more effectively, according to The Scottish Sun. An organized fridge can help lower energy bills by allowing the appliance to function more efficiently, and it is critical for preserving food freshness and preventing cross-contamination.
“You’ll be amazed at how much food waste you can reduce by storing food properly,” Salah Sun from home appliance brand Beko explained, as The Sun reported. “From preventing cross-contamination to rotating items that are about to expire, small changes can make a big difference,” he also said.
According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme, by cutting down on food waste, the average four-person household in the UK could save around £1,000 per year. With household bills rising by £149 a year, many people are searching for ways to cut costs. Experts from Beko have shared tips on the best ways to store different foods in the fridge.
For example, bringing forward products with approaching expiration dates is an effective method for food safety and preventing waste. Storing raw and cooked foods in separate places is also recommended.
The FSA advises that if you’re freezing food, you must check it’s suitable for freezing and it must be frozen before midnight on the use-by date, according to The Scottish Sun. Frozen food should then be defrosted thoroughly in the fridge, and once it’s defrosted, used within 24 hours.
Primrose Freestone stresses that a typical fridge temperature between 37°F (3°C) and 40°F (5°C) is not enough to stop all dangerous microbes from growing. Therefore, proper food storage methods are essential to prevent foodborne illnesses.
