It is used broadly in food and pharmaceutical packaging, including long-life packs for drinks and dairy goods, which allow storing without refrigeration. It is used for wrapping food in order to preserve it, for example, when storing leftover food in a refrigerator (where it serves the additional purpose of preventing odour exchange), when taking sandwiches on a journey, when baking, or when selling some kinds of take-away or fast food. Aluminium foil is also used for barbecuing delicate foods, such as mushrooms and vegetables.

It is used broadly in food and pharmaceutical packaging, including long-life packs for drinks and dairy goods, which allow storing without refrigeration. It is used for wrapping food in order to preserve it, for example, when storing leftover food in a refrigerator (where it serves the additional purpose of preventing odour exchange), when taking sandwiches on a journey, when baking, or when selling some kinds of take-away or fast food. Aluminium foil is also used for barbecuing delicate foods, such as mushrooms and vegetables.