Eating leftovers wrapped in aluminum foil leads to food poisoning, which puts a person's life at risk
Using aluminum foil to store food does not provide sufficient protection against the growth of bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Zachary Cartwright, a food scientist at the Aqua Lab in Chicago, revealed that aluminum foil cannot create a tight seal, allowing oxygen and air to reach the food, which promotes the growth of harmful microbes.
"Aluminum foil is not naturally adhesive and does not conform to surfaces, making it ineffective at protecting food," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.
Eating leftovers wrapped in aluminum foil can lead to food poisoning, which puts a person's life at risk, according to experts.
According to Cartwright, the best options are resealable plastic containers, plastic bags or even plastic food wrap, as these options ensure a tight seal that helps reduce the risk of bacteria growth.
He added that aluminum can react with acidic or salty foods such as tomato sauce, causing toxic substances to leak into the food.
Long-term consumption of aluminum has been linked to some toxic neurological disorders and damage to the kidneys, liver and bones.
Professor Primrose Freestone, a lecturer in clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, stressed the importance of using airtight containers to store leftovers.
He explained that the usual refrigerator temperature of between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius may not prevent some microbes from growing, noting that freezing is a safer option for storing food for longer periods.
Dangerous microbes that can grow on food include staphylococcus, which produces toxins that cause food poisoning, and bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Improper storage also increases the risk of the growth of bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum or Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious illness, especially in people with weakened immune systems or the elderly.
