Ammonium Alum
Ammonium alum is an aluminium-containing additive. EFSA (2008) established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 1 mg aluminium/kg bw/week and concluded that habitual dietary exposure exceeds this in many European populations, raising concern for neurotoxicity, bone, and reproductive effects.
What it is
Ammonium aluminium sulfate (E523), an aluminium-containing inorganic salt.
Firming agent, leavening (in baking powder), and stabilizer.
Why it's flagged
- neurotoxicity from chronic aluminium exposure
- bone effects
- EFSA dietary exposure exceeds TWI
What regulators actually say
"The Panel established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 1 mg aluminium/kg body weight... dietary exposure exceeds the TWI in a considerable proportion of the European population."
"Aluminum ammonium sulfate is generally recognized as safe."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS (21 CFR 182.1127) — limited food uses.
European Union — EFSA
TWI 1 mg Al/kg bw/week (EFSA 2008). EU restrictions on aluminium additives in food.
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