Before stainless steel came into existence, aluminum had created a vast empire worldwide. Aluminum was used as cookware in cooking because it is a material that is not prone to rusting.
According to Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh, a food technology expert, aluminum is a metal that reacts with oxygen in the air (normally) to create fairly stable aluminum oxide at normal temperatures. Aluminum oxide will form a protective film around the pot, preventing the environment from affecting the aluminum inside and also preventing the aluminum from leaching out. That is why aluminum does not rust.
This protective film will cause the pot to lose its shine and dull in color. Many people when they see a pot dull and yellowish, they bring it out to scrub, causing the protective layer to be lost. After a short period of use, the aluminum pot will become rough and corroded, with low durability.
Aluminum pots made from pure aluminum, if used properly, will not affect health. However, if not used correctly, the process of corrosion will occur quickly, especially when using aluminum pots to cook/contain salty or acidic foods.
With cheap aluminum pots made from scrap and impurities, they may contain harmful substances that exceed the allowed limits for health.
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, the lead content in recycled aluminum products is 7mg/kg, if exceeded, it will accumulate in the liver and kidneys causing cancer, reducing liver function, and even acute toxicity.
Dr. Thinh advises: “When cooking with aluminum pots, if there is salt, it will react with the protective film of aluminum, causing the pot to corrode quickly, aluminum salt will be expelled. Aluminum oxide dissolves into food. Although aluminum oxide is not a heavy metal, when it accumulates too much in the body, it is not good for health.”
To use aluminum pots safely, experts advise:
– Do not cook sour soup, stew food with aluminum pots as it will react with aluminum oxide and partially dissolve it into the soup, which will harm health when eaten.
– Should not use aluminum pots for cooking for long periods: This will create substances that are not good for health.
– Do not use aluminum pots to contain salty foods: Aluminum reacts with salt, causing aluminum oxide to dissolve into food, which is not good for health.
– Do not use aluminum utensils for salt or pickle.
– Do not store acidic foods, alkaline substances with aluminum utensils as they will produce a chemical reaction, creating a harmful compound for the body. Do not store food, rice, soup, alcohol, foods with MSG in aluminum utensils.
Note: When cooking with aluminum pots, cook on low heat to avoid burning, peeling off the protective layer and increasing the corrosion, which will easily create harmful substances for the body.
Experts note that recycled aluminum pots contain a lot of impurities, often have a dull color, uneven surface color, may have pits, and are usually cast. Recycled aluminum is brittle, not flexible. Whereas pure aluminum is usually shiny, not dull in color.
According to PNVN.
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