Estimating Aluminum Leaching into Meat Baked with Aluminum Foil Using Gravimetric and UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Method

Baking meat by wrapping them in Aluminum (Al) foil is common in many countries. The excessive use of Al foil in baking and the disagreement about using Al foils were the motivation to do this study especially after the 2007 WHO/FDA Report. In this investigation, a gravimetric and a UV-Vis spectrophotometric method are used to estimate Aluminum (Al) leaching into meat baked by wrapping in Al foil. Three kinds of meat were used fish, cow stakes and chicken. The importance of Al exposure area was neglected by many studies. Five factors affecting Al leaching into meat are studied (baking temperature, baking time, additives, Al exposure area and weight of meat). The effect of cooking times (20, 40, 60 minutes) at 180℃ and cooking temperatures (160℃, 180℃, 200℃) at 60 minutes on the amount of Al leaching were evaluated. It was found that Al leaching into meat increased with increasing temperature, baking time, additives and Al exposure area. Moreover, Al exposure area was more effective than the weight of the meat. The Al leaching was highest in fish and lowest in chicken. Comparing the present results with the Provisional Tolerance Weekly Intake of Al approved by WHO/FDA, it shows that Al leaching into meat baked by wrapping in Al foil may add considerable doses into the diet. Continuous monitoring of Al foil used for baking meat is recommended.