Can aluminium vessels and foil cause cancer? Cancer surgeon finally clarifies

Is it safe to pack your food for lunch in aluminium foil? (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Aluminium vessels and foil have come to be feared in Indian kitchens, as they are believed to be a toxic heavy metal that can leach into food and cause cancer. Leading cancer surgeon Dr. Jayesh Sharma, in his new post on Instagram, addressed this misconception.

He wrote, “Hot roti in aluminium foil: safe or toxic? We use it every day for packing lunch and storing food. But there are rumours that heating aluminium makes it leach into our food and damage our kidneys. So, is your favourite kitchen staple secretly harming you? Let’s check the facts.”

In his video, he said, “I have a friend who orders fast food every day, which comes wrapped in aluminium foil. He complains about the food being covered in heavy metal and says, ‘If this doesn’t cause cancer, what will?’ The genuine question is: why is aluminium used in utensils and foil at all?”

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Why is aluminium commonly used?

He stated three reasons:

1. It is one of the most common metals found on earth. 2. It is lightweight. He mentioned some of the heavy metals and the list includes: lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, tin, thallium, vanadium, antimony, and bismuth. 3. It doesn’t react with most things, including food. That’s why only a tiny amount enters the food, and even that small amount is hardly absorbed by the body. Whatever gets absorbed is removed by the kidneys. It does not get deposited in the body because it is not a heavy metal.

Take a look at the post:

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dr Jayesh Sharma (@drjayeshsharma)

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He did not deny that aluminium can be toxic, but clarified that it still doesn’t cause cancer. It is not listed as a carcinogen. “If an average Indian consumes 60–80 mg of aluminium, it doesn’t cause any problem, and even reaching that amount through regular food is quite difficult.”

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Precautionary measures to take when using aluminium:

Don’t cook in aluminium vessels on very high heat.

Don’t cook very sour or acidic food in them.

Don’t store acidic items in aluminium containers for long periods.

Finally, the doctor clarified that it is far-fetched to blame aluminium for cancer. It is similar to a smoker blaming the foil his cigarette is packed in rather than the cigarette itself. It’s better to avoid and fear fast food than aluminium.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.