Food Safety Issues/alumminum foil

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Expert: Carol Schlitt - 2/16/2006


Question
One side of aluminum foil is shinny and the other is matte. Which side should we wrap the food around? I heard that's toxin on one side, is that true? and which side is that?

Answer
HI Mia,

Foil is shinny on one side and matte on the other from the way it comes through the rollers when it is being made. There's very little, if any, difference between the sides. It was once thought the that shinny side reflected more heat so many recipes suggested placing the foil "shinny side down" to cause more heat to enter the cooking vessel.  Now new research shows there isn't any difference between the sides so it doesn't matter if the shinny side is up or down. There is not toxin on one side to make it harmful.

So...wrap your food however you want.  The key for wrapping is to make an air barrier so wrapping tightly will ensure a fresher product.

Hope this helps.

Happy wrapping!!

Carol C. Schlitt
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness'
University of Illinois Extension

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Carol Schlitt

Expertise

I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).

Experience

I am a former Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety, having retired August 1, 2010. I am a certified HACCP manager, a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health and a 3rd party food safety and OSHA auditor of restaurants.

Organizations
International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, St. Louis Culinary Society.

Education/Credentials
BS - University of Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

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