Aluminium in apple juice - no storing of fruit juice in aluminium tanks

Elevated aluminium levels in fruit juice, particularly in apple juice, were measured by the official food control authorities. The cause was the incorrect storage of juice in aluminium containers that were not coated with varnish. As aluminium is dissolved by acid-containing and salt-containing food, the metal was able to migrate to the juice. 
 
In the case of short-term dietary intake, aluminium is scarcely harmful at all. In the case of elevated, long-term intake, aluminium can, however, lead to brittle bones, anaemia and brain damage in humans. In animal studies it was shown that low doses of the substance can already impair reproduction and the developing nervous system. Hence the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established for the lifelong intake of aluminium a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram body weight. 
 
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has undertaken a health assessment of aluminium uptake from apple juice. It also took into account other possible dietary sources of aluminium intake by consumers. The substance may be contained as a food additive for instance in confectionery, may migrate to food from food-contact articles like cooking utensils or aluminium foil or may be contained naturally in food (fruit, vegetables, cereals, soya, meat). Hence, in the opinion of BfR, at most 50% of the TWI value should be exhausted by fruit juice including apple juice. 
 
Because of the expected migration of aluminium to food, BfR recommends that this metal should not in principle be used in contact with acid-containing and salt-containing food and beverages. At best varnished aluminium tanks are suitable for the storage of fruit juice.