Aluminum Lake
Aluminum Lake

Aluminum Lake

Common names: Aluminum Lake Red, Aluminum Lake Yellow, Aluminum Lake Blue, E173 (European food additive code for aluminum).
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KIDSADVISORY SAFETY RATING
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Caution
Published by Jordana Tobelem, RD, LDN — Last Updated on Apr 16, 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr. William Lin, MD
Aluminum Lake is a synthetic pigment commonly used in the food industry to provide vibrant, long-lasting colors to processed foods. Its stability under light, heat, and pH variations makes it ideal for products with extended shelf lives, such as candies, snack foods, and beverages. Approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA, it must meet stringent purity standards to ensure safety.[1][2]
Despite its widespread use, Aluminum Lake has been subject to scrutiny due to potential concerns over aluminum exposure and health risks, such as neurotoxicity and cumulative effects.[2][3] Regulatory agencies have established permissible levels of use, aiming to minimize exposure while maintaining its benefits in food coloring. While generally safe for the average consumer, its use highlights the balance between functionality and health considerations in food additives.[4]

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
The FDA permits the use of Aluminum Lakes as color additives in foods, drugs, and cosmetics, provided they meet specific purity criteria and are used within established guidelines.[5]
Health Canada
Health Canada permits the use of aluminum-containing additives in food, drugs, and cosmetics, adhering to safety assessments and regulatory standards.7 They are currently reviewing certain permitted uses of these additives to ensure continued consumer safety.[6]
EFSA (Europe)
EFSA has assessed aluminum exposure from all dietary sources and established a Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) of 1 mg/kg body weight.² They noted that certain populations might exceed this intake, suggesting a need for monitoring aluminum-containing additives.[2]
WHO (World Health Organization)
The WHO has evaluated aluminum compounds, including those used as food additives, and has set a Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of 2 mg/kg body weight.[3] They recommend minimizing aluminum intake from all sources due to potential health concerns.[3]

FDA GRAS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Current Status
Not Classified
Aluminum Lake is not classified as GRAS by the FDA, meaning it does not have the same level of broad, unregulated safety status as some other ingredients, but it is approved for use as a color additive in foods, drugs, and cosmetics within strict guidelines and permissible limits.[5]

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
  • EWG Rating: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns Aluminum Lake a hazard score ranging from low to moderate, depending on its specific use and exposure potential.[4]
  • Level of Caution: EWG advises increased caution when Aluminum Lake is used in products that may be inhaled, such as powders or sprays, due to potential respiratory concerns.[4]
  • Possible Health Risks: Potential health risks associated with Aluminum Lake include increased skin absorption in some cases or potential skin irritation in sensitive individuals, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and contamination concerns, particularly when used in products not adhering to safety guidelines.[4]
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More about Aluminum Lake

  • Candies: Gummy bears, jelly beans, and hard candies.
  • Beverages: Soft drinks, energy drinks, and flavored water.
  • Baked Goods: Cakes, cookies, and doughnuts.

Historical Use
Aluminum Lake has been used since the mid-20th century as a stable alternative to water-soluble dyes in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Its ability to retain vibrant colors under various environmental conditions made it a popular choice for processed foods and long-lasting products.[1]
Current Exposure
Consumers are frequently exposed to Aluminum Lake through processed foods like candies, snack foods, and beverages, as well as in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items.[4] Regulatory limits ensure safety, but cumulative exposure is monitored due to potential health concerns.[3]

Neurotoxicity
Chronic exposure to aluminum compounds has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, due to aluminum's ability to accumulate in the brain and induce oxidative stress.[7]
Respiratory Issues
Inhalation of aluminum particles, particularly in occupational settings, can lead to respiratory conditions such as lung fibrosis and impaired lung function.[7]
Skeletal Effects
Prolonged exposure to high levels of aluminum has been associated with bone disorders, including osteomalacia, due to aluminum's interference with bone mineralization.[8]
Renal Dysfunction
Individuals with impaired kidney function may experience exacerbated renal issues upon aluminum exposure, as the kidneys play a crucial role in excreting aluminum from the body.[8]

Toxicological Studies
Animal studies have indicated that high oral doses of aluminum compounds, ranging from 100 to 330 mg Al/kg/day, can lead to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative changes, including impaired cognitive function and altered motor activity.[8]
Long-Term Safety
Chronic exposure to elevated levels of aluminum has been associated with skeletal issues, such as osteomalacia, and potential neurotoxic effects in humans, particularly in individuals with impaired renal function who may have difficulty excreting aluminum efficiently.[8]

High-Risk Groups
Individuals with impaired renal function, infants, and the elderly are particularly susceptible to aluminum exposure due to decreased ability to excrete the metal efficiently, leading to potential accumulation in the body.[9]
Health Impacts
In vulnerable populations, elevated aluminum levels have been associated with neurotoxic effects, including cognitive decline and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as bone disorders such as osteomalacia.[9]

Recommended Intake
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has established an ADI for aluminum compounds, including aluminum lakes, at 2 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as aluminum.[10]

General Safety Level
Aluminum Lake is considered safe for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics at approved concentrations, according to regulatory agencies like the FDA and EFSA. Research indicates no significant risk for the general population under typical usage levels.[1]
Sensitive Individuals
Some individuals with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to aluminum compounds may experience irritation or adverse reactions when exposed to Aluminum Lake. Such cases are rare and typically related to pre-existing allergies or sensitivities.[2]

FAQ

Is aluminum lake bad for you?

Aluminum lake is generally considered safe for consumption, but excessive intake of aluminum compounds may raise health concerns.

What is aluminum lake?

Aluminum lake is a type of food dye made by binding water-soluble color pigments to aluminum hydroxide for stability.

What is the aluminum lake ingredient?

Aluminum lake is an ingredient used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to provide vibrant, stable coloring.

References

  1. US Food and Drug Administration FDA Summary of Color Additives for Use in the United States in Foods Drugs Cosmetics and Medical Devices Available at: https://www.fda.gov/industry/color-additives/summary-color-additives-use-united-states-foods-drugs-cosmetics-and-medical-devices ↩︎
  2. European Food Safety Authority EFSA Safety of aluminium from dietary intake Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives Flavourings Processing Aids and Food Contact Materials AFC Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/754 ↩︎
  3. World Health Organization WHO ALUMINIUM-containing food additives Available at: https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/6179 ↩︎
  4. Environmental Working Group EWG CI 42090 FD&C Blue No. 1 or DC Blue No. 4 Aluminum Lake Available at: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/702409-CI_42090_FDC_Blue_No_1_or_DC_Blue_No_4_Aluminum_Lake/ ↩︎
  5. US Food and Drug Administration FDA CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Lakes Available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-82/subpart-C/section-82.1051 ↩︎
  6. Health Canada Canada to Revise Uses of Aluminum-Containing Food Additives Available at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/canada-canada-revise-uses-aluminum-containing-food-additives ↩︎
  7. Exley C 2014 Why industry propaganda and political interference cannot disguise the inevitable role played by human exposure to aluminum in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimers disease Frontiers in Neurology 5 212 Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2014.00212/full ↩︎
  8. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Aluminum Available at: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp22.pdf ↩︎
  9. Bonfiglio R Scimeca M Mauriello A 2023 The impact of aluminum exposure on human health Archives of Toxicology 97 2997-2998 Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-023-03581-6 ↩︎
  10. Limit Values and Guideline Values in Regulatory Toxicology SpringerLink Available at: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-642-36206-4_24-2.pdf ↩︎

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