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Aluminum foil is a popular staple found in many kitchens (mine included!).
Why is aluminum foil a concern for certain foods?
Aluminum foil next to cutting board and vegetables
Theres been much debate about health concerns when cooking with aluminum foil.
So is aluminum foil generally safe to use?
Another thing to note is that not all aluminum foils are created equal!
Crumpled aluminium foil used for cooking stained with food residue
Some foil products sourced from certain parts of the world have more harmful elements.
Our tests confirmed it: there’s a reason Le Creuset cast iron is so iconic.
This skillet offered unparalleled evenness and heat retention, cooking everything from steak to scrambled eggs without any trouble.
This also includes dishes like apple purees, rhubarb, tomato purees.
Melted cheese
Most of us love the taste of melted cheese to spruce up our burgers and other dishes.
However, this ingredient should never be cooked or wrapped in aluminum foil.
Cooked tomatoes and mushrooms on foil
“Salt and heavily spiced foods can also react with foil in a similar way.
Ever notice how foil sometimes gets dark spots or tiny holes when covering seasoned or salty dishes?
Thats the reaction happening right on the surface, and it can affect the flavour of your food.
A person wrapping a cheeseburger in foil
Salted meats
Similarly, any foods or dishes containing high levels of salt are a no-no.
Just like acid, salt can cause aluminum to potentially leach into foods.
At the end of the day, foil is convenient, but not always the best choice.
Pepperoni slices on foil
What are alternatives to aluminum foil?
If you do want to cook your favorite dishes however, there are alternative methods that you might use.
Another top tip when youre wrapping leftovers, is to not crumple the aluminum foil tightly around the food.
Cast iron skillet
Switching to an alternative is an easy way to keep your meals tasting great while avoiding unnecessary aluminum use.