Safety of aluminium from dietary intake ‐ Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials (AFC)

Abstract

Following a request from the Commission, the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials (AFC) was asked to provide a scientific opinion on the safety of aluminium from all sources of dietary intake. In the event the estimated exposure for a particular sub-group(s) is found to exceed the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake, a detailed breakdown by exposure source should be provided. Aluminium occurs naturally in the environment and is also released due to anthropogenic activities such as mining and industrial uses, in the production of aluminium metal and other aluminium compounds. A variety of aluminium compounds are produced and used for different purposes, such as in water treatment, papermaking, fire retardant, fillers, food additives, colours and pharmaceuticals. Aluminium metal, mainly in the form of alloys with other metals, has many uses including in consumer appliances, food packaging and cookware. The major route of exposure to aluminium for the general population is through food. Aluminium in drinking water represents another, minor, source of exposure. Additional exposures may arise from the use of aluminium compounds in pharmaceuticals and consumer products. Most unprocessed foods typically contain less than 5 mg aluminium/kg. Higher concentrations (mean levels 5 to 10 mg/kg) were often found in breads, cakes and pastries (with biscuits having the highest levels), some vegetables (with mushrooms, spinach, radish, swiss card, 1 For citation purposes: Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials on a request from European Commission on Safety of aluminium from dietary intake.

Re‐evaluation of aluminium sulphates (E 520–523) and sodium aluminium phosphate (E 541) as food additives

“…Aluminium sulphates (E 520-523) and sodium aluminium phosphate (E 541) are authorised as food additives in the EU according to Annex II of Regulation ( The safety of aluminium from dietary intake was evaluated in 2008 by the EFSA Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials (EFSA, 2008). Based on the range of available NOAEL and LOAEL, and applying a weight of evidence approach, the Panel established a TWI of 1 mg aluminium/kg bw per week.…”

“…The EFSA AFC Panel (EFSA, 2008) reported effects on male reproductive organs and/or semen after oral administration in rabbits (LOAEL 6.4 mg Al/kg bw per day) and dogs (NOAEL 27 mg Al/kg bw per day). No effects on male and female fertility were observed in the rat after oral dietary administration.…”

Genotoxic Impact of Aluminum-containing Nanomaterials in Human Intestinal and Hepatic Cells.

“…Within the last decade, aluminum (Al)-containing nanomaterials (NMs) have been widely used not only for industrial applications, but also in consumer products, due to their higher reactivity compared to the bulk form [1,2,3,4]. Forms of Al, both in the micro-and the nano-size, are present in food and consumer products [1,5] due to their use as rming, anticaking, neutralizing, emulsifying and texturizing agents, as well as for cooking tools [6], waste water treatment [7,8] and in medical and hygiene products such as toothpaste [9,10,11]. Nevertheless, their potential toxicity has not been fully evaluated, leading to major concerns from consumers and public health agencies [12].…”

“…According to exposure estimates from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), consumers can absorb up to 2.3 mg Al /kg bw/week, more than twice the weekly tolerable intake (1 mg/kg bw/week) [7]. In addition, a recent study has estimated total consumer exposure to Al containing compounds, including contributions from products used in food (additives, contact materials) and in cosmetics, and concluded that adolescents were highly exposed [13].…”

Aluminium contamination of several types of tea

“…Ezek a szabályzatok előírják, hogy az ivóvíz maximális alumínium tartalma 0,2 mg/l lehet, míg a napi bevitel egy felnőtt számára maximum 5 mg lehet (WHO, 1997) [9]. Az Európai Élelmiszerbiztonsági Hatóság (EFSA) legújabb (2008) szabályzata szerint a heti alumínium bevitel nem haladhatja meg az 1 mg/ttkg/hét, ami magába foglalja az ivóvízből, élelmiszerekből, környezetből emberi szervezetbe kerülő összalumínium-mennyiséget [10].…”