Summer Tip: Don’t Use Aluminum Foil on the BBQ

We are in the middle of summer which means a lot of grilling for many of us. But before you light up that grill be aware of a safety precaution first: don't use aluminum foil.

Many use aluminum foil on the grill to keep it clean and keep the juices/flavor of whatever is we're cooking. However, an article in Metro says that using aluminum foil on your grill can be bad for you because the metal can transfer into your food.

High levels of aluminum can lead to osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, bone disease or kidney failure. According to the World Health Organization, a safe daily intake of aluminum would be 40mg, but studies have found that food cooked in aluminum can contain 6x, if not more, that amount!

A study found that foods cooked in acid, like lemon or tomato juice, absorbed the most aluminum, especially when adding spices. On the other hand, foods that were cooked in salt or alcohol didn't absorb the metal as much.

I found a food blog that has some suggestions of things you can use instead of the foil when grilling:

• Wood plank
• Good metal cookware (i.e. cast iron skillet)
• Grill basket for vegetables