Aluminum in beverages and foods: A comprehensive compilation of regulations; concentrations in raw, prepared, and stored beverages and foods; and intake

Abstract

The history and controversy concerning aluminum use in beverage and food preparation and storage are reviewed. This review on aluminum in drinking water, foods, and beverages updates and exceeds prior reviews. Country and international organization regulations that permit incorporation of aluminum-containing food additives, their use limit, and purposes are presented. The aluminum concentration in beverages and foods consumed worldwide was gleaned from ∼2100 sources available to the author. The ∼17,700 values are compiled in ∼175 tables by beverage or food category that include the analytical method used, sample source, and reference. The tables are posted on the internet (https://UKnowledge.uky.edu/alum/) and summarized and interpreted herein. The contribution of aluminum exposure during beverage and food preparation, packaging, and storage to the aluminum concentration in beverages and foods, and influencing factors, are addressed. Reports of aluminum intake by people from more than 50 counties were compiled, revealing a median daily intake by adults of 4.7 mg (0.089 mg/kg body weight) and greater intake by young children (0.28 mg/kg body weight). Compared to tolerable aluminum intake established by governments and organizations, 0.14–0.3 mg/kg/day, several studies, particularly from China, reported greater intake. Certainly, some people consume more than acceptable amounts of aluminum from beverages and foods.