The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers metallic aluminium and a number of aluminium compounds as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Through the Aluminium Association’s research efforts, continuing surveillance of the world’s scientific literature, and by establishing personal contact and holding discussions with the leading researchers in the field, the Association has concluded:
- Aluminium is not linked to Alzheimer’s disease, the cause of which is unknown.
- The biological significance of aluminium in the human brain is unknown. Aluminium is naturally present in the brain from birth, yet only a small percentage of the population contracts Alzheimer’s.
- Aluminium is poorly absorbed by the human body. Most if not all of the aluminium ingested from food and water merely passes through the digestive tract and out of the body.
- Ordinary environmental exposure to aluminium is safe. According to the FDA, typical ingestion of aluminium in the diet is not of public health significance. The contribution of drinking water to the dietary intake of aluminium is far too small to be toxic.
