Dear Pat, today, while making tea, I happened to notice a silver lining to the package holding the tea bags. Is this aluminium? I love this tea, Alvita, green tea. Get it at the health food store. Been drinking it for years. Best wishes, Mselle

Oh dear what a hornets nest this has stirred up

1) SOME stainless steel pans will not hold a magnet .....no idea why
But normally Stainless Steel pans stay shiny, do not go black and pitted and do not suddenly go very clean if you cook acid foods or Rhubarb

The foil package tea bags etc come in does not cause me problems

IT IS WHEN YOU HEAT ALUMINIUM IT BECOMES THE EQUIVALENT OF RADIOACTIVE and damaging

Mselle, sorry to mention this, but I think tea itself is high in aluminium. I drink lots myself and don't worry about it. I really don't think it's a problem. As Pat says, it's the form it comes in, and as always, personal susceptibility.

Dear Pat,
I truly thank you for your input on this thread...I did not imagine that everyone would be sooo interested!

I think it is good that this thread has stirred things up a bit...it certainly has got me thinking twice about my cookware, foods, and all sorts of things I never gave a second thought. Of course, Anna is absolutely right - it is a person's suseptibility that will determine how much one is affected or not by any outside force, and of course, in my case (family history), it was of concern to me...so thanks again for your hard earned wisdom!
Sincerely, Lisa

[This message has been edited by Lisa007 (edited 05 April 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Lisa007 (edited 05 April 2000).]

Carolorr- keep your pots!
A magnet will not stick to aluminium
A magnet will not stick to chrome
A magnet sticks only to steel/iron
Stainless steel pots contain steel + chrome.
High quality stainless steel pots contain more chrome that's why your magnet will not stick to some pots.
The pots on which the magnet sticks are acutally low quality stainless steel.
So back to square one.

Aluminium pots have a dull shine and are very light in weight.