Iodized Salt Between Myth and Reality: Assessment of Iodine Content in Table Salt Commercially Available in Romania

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2997-3001
Author(s):  
Iulian Brezean ◽  
Dumitru Ferechide ◽  
Mircea Lupusoru ◽  
Adrian Barbilian ◽  
Marius Moga ◽  
...  

About 1/3 of the world population lives in areas where iodine is scarce. The easiest solution to provide an organism with adequate iodine doses is the iodization of table salt, a process implemented in about 120 countries. Romanian laws require the iodization of salt used for human consumption. The purpose of our study is to assess the iodine concentration of various table salt brands commercially available in Romania, from different countries � Ukraine, Belarus, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Austria, to see if they comply with accepted standards and compare them with those in our country. An iodometric titration method was used for analyzing the iodine content of the salt samples. The analysis of the samples indicate that a great proportion do not meet accepted standards regarding iodine concentration.

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 225-229
Author(s):  
Gorica Sbutega-Milosevic ◽  
Zorica Djordjevic ◽  
Zoran Marmut ◽  
Boban Mugosa

Introduction. Combating nutritional deficiencies of micronutrients, such as iodine, represents a priority task of health care organizations. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the publication: Global Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), according to which some 2,2 billion people live in areas poor in naturally occurring iodine. Approximately 13% of the world population suffer from goitre - one of the IDD. The recommended iodine content in table salt is 20-40 mg/kg, which should satisfy the daily iodine requirements of an adult. Objective. The authors sought to ascertain whether iodization of table salt in Montenegro was carried out in accordance with the existing legislature. An assessment was also carried out of the attitudes and habits of the population regarding the use of salt in nutrition and the level of awareness in relation to the relevance of table salt iodization. Methods. The research was carried out in 2004 and was sponsored by UNICEF. A sample of 594 homes from the municipalities of Bar and Podgorica was chosen: 354 homes from urban and 240 from rural areas. The participants completed a questionnaire related to the daily use and intake of salt, as well as their understanding of the relevance of table salt iodization. Iodine content was tested in 15 samples of table salt at production level, 170 samples at retail level and 126 samples taken from domestic use. Results. The analysis of table salt samples showed an optimal iodine level in 73.3% of samples from production, in 81.2% from retail, and in 73.0% from domestic use. A lower level of iodine was found in 8.8% retail samples and 15.1% samples from home use. A greater concentration of iodine was found in 26.7% production, 10.0% retail and 11.9% samples from domestic use. Conclusion. Although the application of the WHO programme has led to an improvement in iodization of table salt in Montenegro, both at production and retail levels, this still falls short of the standards recommended by WHO to combat IDD. The levels of iodine in table salt in domestic use also fail to comply with the WHO criteria for elimination of IDD.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Stewart ◽  
Noel Solomons ◽  
Ivan Mendoza ◽  
Sandy May ◽  
Glen Maberly

Guatemalan law mandates an iodine concentration from 30 to 700 parts per million (ppm) in all table salt offered in local commerce. Forty-four specimens of salt were collected in urban and rural sectors of a county on the outskirts of the capital of Guatemala and analysed for their iodine content by an iodate titration method. The concentrations ranged from 1 to 117 ppm, (mean ± SD 26.6 ± 21.7 ppm, median 24 ppm). Salt samples with iodine in both the adequate and the inadequate ranges were found in each of five subjurisdictions (township and four hamlets), and the median concentration was equivalent at all sites, without an urban-to-rural gradient. Similarly, the mandated iodine concentration was no more likely to be found in salt packaged under a brand name with a commercial label than in salt in a plain, unlabelled package. The findings place in relief the continuing difficulties in Guatemala in the effort to provide a universally protective level of iodine in table salt.


1990 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 577-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Bürgi ◽  
Zeno Supersaxo ◽  
Beat Selz

Abstract. In certain regions of Switzerland, before prophylaxis, 0.5% of the inhabitants were cretins, almost 100% of schoolchildren had large goitres and up to 30% of young men were unfit for military service owing to a large goitre. Iodization of salt was introduced in 1922 at 3.75 mg I per kg and the iodine content was doubled twice, in 1962 and 1980, to the present 15 mg I per kg. In 1988, 92% of retail salt and 76% of all salt for human consumption (including food industry) was iodized, even though its use is voluntary. Urinary iodine excretion, previously between 18 and 64 μg per per day, has now risen to 150 μg per day. No new endemic cretins born after 1930 have been identified. Goitre disappeared rapidly in newborns and schoolchildren, more slowly in army recruits, and incompletely in elderly adults. In some Cantons (by constitution in charge of health matters and the salt monopoly) which allowed iodized salt only in 1952, disappearance of goitre lagged behind accordingly, proof that iodized salt was the cause of regression. The Swiss data provide evidence that isolated deafness, mental deficiency, and short stature, each without the other attributes of cretinism have also decreased. Adverse effects of iodized salt were minimal, possibly because the initial iodine content of salt was chosen very low. Iodization of salt has proved a highly cost-effective preventive measure in Switzerland.


1988 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan-Ping Pang ◽  
An Ouyang ◽  
Tian-Sue Su ◽  
Jerome M. Hershman

Abstract. Endemic goitre and cretinism are still a public health problem in China. An epidemiological survey showed that about 5% of the inhabitants in Daxin village, Henan province, had goitre or cretinism after an iodized salt prevention programme had been carried out for two decades. The main food for the inhabitants of this area has an iodine content <30 nmol/kg and the water for cooking and drinking has an iodine concentration between 7–12 nmol/l. We studied thyroid function in subjects of this village. There were 42 with grade 0 goitre (males 29, females 13), 42 grade I (males 23, females 19), 27 grade II (males 9, females 18), 31 grade III (males 14, females 17) and 34 cretinism patients (males 30, females 4) diagnosed and classified according to WHO criteria. Serum T4, free T4, T3, free T3, T3 uptake, TSH and thyroglobulin were measured in these subjects. The patients with goitre or cretinism had significantly decreased serum free T4 and increased serum T3 and free T3 levels compared with those of controls. Thyroid size was positively correlated with age and serum thyroglobulin concentrations. Serum thyroglobulin was significantly increased even in the grade 0 goitre subjects. The percentages of subjects with serum free T4 < 12 nmol/l, T3 >2.5 nmol/l, free T3 >5.2 pmol/l, TSH >3.5 mU/l, T3/T4 ratio >0.03 and free T3/free T4 ratio >0.36 were significantly higher among goitre and cretinism patients than among controls. The data suggest that there is partial compensation for a marginal deficiency of iodine in the inhabitants of this village.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 379-386
Author(s):  
Ning Yao ◽  
Chunbei Zhou ◽  
Jun Xie ◽  
Xinshu Li ◽  
Qianru Zhou ◽  
...  

Objective The remarkable success of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) elimination in China has been achieved through a mandatory universal salt iodization (USI) program. The study aims to estimate the relationship between urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and iodine content in edible salt to assess the current iodine nutritional status of school aged children. Methods A total of 5565 students from 26 of 39 districts/counties in Chongqing participated in the study, UIC and iodine content in table salt were measured. Thyroid volumes of 3311 students were examined by ultrasound and goiter prevalence was calculated. Results The overall median UIC of students was 222 μg/L (IQR: 150-313 μg/L). Median UIC was significantly different among groups with non-iodized salt (iodine content <5 mg/kg), inadequately iodized salt (between 5 and 21 mg/kg), adequately iodized (between 21 and 39 mg/kg) and excessively iodized (>39 mg/kg) salt (P < 0.01). The total goiter rate was 1.9% (60/3111) and 6.0% (186/3111) according to Chinese national and WHO reference values, respectively. Thyroid volume and goiter prevalence were not different within the three iodine nutritional status groups (insufficient, adequate and excessive, P > 0.05). Conclusions The efficient implementation of current USI program is able to reduce the goiter prevalence in Chongqing as a low incidence of goiter in school aged children is observed in this study. The widened UIC range of 100–299 μg/L indicating sufficient iodine intake is considered safe with a slim chance of causing goiter or thyroid dysfunction. Further researches were needed to evaluate the applicability of WHO reference in goiter diagnose in Chongqing or identifying more accurate criteria of normal thyroid volume of local students in the future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-270
Author(s):  
Roman Konečný ◽  
Zuzana Křížová ◽  
Jan Hladký ◽  
Jitka Kautská ◽  
Lucie Hasoňová ◽  
...  

The study examines an analysis and evaluation of iodine content in raw cow’s milk in three regions of the Czech Republic between the years 2008 and 2018. Bulk milk samples were collected at dairy farms situated in South Bohemia, Central Bohemia, and the Vysočina Region. Iodine in milk was determined on the basis of alkaline ashing, using the spectrophotometric method according to Sandell-Kolthoff. The highest mean iodine content was measured in 2009 (485.5 ± 408.2 μg/l) and the lowest in 2016 (169.2 ± 71.7 μg/l). Since 2010 there has been a gradual decline of iodine concentration, from 479.5 ± 304.9 μg/l in 2010 to 231.2 ± 63.5 μg/l in 2018. A similar decreasing tendency was recorded in all the monitored regions. The percentage of samples containing iodine above 500 μg/l was on the decrease (37% in 2009; 0% in 2016–2018) and less than 80 μg/l (8% in 2009; 0% in 2017–2018). The current state corresponds to the requirements for iodine content in milk for human consumption. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous iodine content checks in milk and the related adjustments of iodine supplementation to the feeding rations of dairy cows.


1999 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinkou Zhao ◽  
Fujie Xu ◽  
Qinlan Zhang ◽  
Li Shang ◽  
Aixiang Xu ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this trial was to compare three different iodine interventions.DesignSchool children aged 8–10 years were randomized into one of three groups: group A was provided with iodized salt by researchers with an iodine concentration of 25 ppm; group B purchased iodized salt from the market; and group C was similar to group B with the exception that they were given iodized oil capsules containing 400 mg iodine at the beginning of the study. Salt iodine content was measured bimonthly for 18 months and indicators of iodine deficiency were measured at baseline and 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after randomization.ResultsThe prevalence of abnormal thyroid volumes, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) body surface area reference > 97th percentile, was 18% at baseline and declined to less than 5% by 12 months in groups A and C, and to 9% after 18 months in group B. Results for goitre by palpation were similar. The median urinary iodine was 94 μgl−1 at baseline and increased in all groups to > 200 μgl−1 at the 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsIn this population of school children with initially a low to moderate level of iodine deficiency, the group receiving salt with 25 ppm (group A) was not iodine deficient on all indicators after 18 months of study. When the iodine content of the salt varied, such as in group B, by 18 months thyroid sizes had not yet achieved normal status.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayyub Ali Patel

Background: Iodine, a micronutrient that plays a significant role in thyroid hormone synthesis, is essential for normal neurological development. Universal Salt Iodization is a plan advocated by the WHO to ensure sufficient iodine intake by all individuals. No accurate data was available about household coverage with iodized salt and salt iodization adequacy in the Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Objectives: To estimate the proportion of households consuming iodized salt in the Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and assess salt iodization’s adequacy. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study on a stratified proportional allocation sample. The household of each child was requested to bring a teaspoonful of table salt consumed in their kitchen. The salt samples were taken in standard, small, self-sealed plastic bags. The Iodine concentration of salt was determined spectrophotometrically. Results: The study included 3038 samples of table salt. Insufficient iodized table salt samples (less than 15 ppm based on the WHO/UNICEF ICCIDD classification) were observed in 22.3% (95% CI: 20.8% – 23.8%) of the samples. Similarly, insufficient iodized table salt samples (less than 70 ppm based on Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization “SASO” classification) were observed in 75.7% (95% CI: 74.1% – 77.2%) of the study samples. The present study showed that rural areas significantly had higher insufficient table salt samples than urban areas. Conclusions: The study showed that the use of insufficient iodized salt in the region is still common. The accessibility of iodized salt can be achieved through iodized salt’s marketing and sales. Authorities in the Aseer region should play an influential role in forbidding non-iodized salt in the local markets in the Aseer region. Key words: Iodine; Table salt; Saudi Arabia


2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (03) ◽  
pp. 49-52
Author(s):  
Navin Verma ◽  

Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal thyroid function, growth, and development. Iodine deficiency can lead to a variety of health and developmental consequences known as Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs). Realizing the magnitude of the problem and to ensure its prevention by 100% consumption of adequately iodized salt (≥15ppm), National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) is being implemented in India. However, periodic assessment of the salt used is needed to ensure the same. Hence, with the objective of assessment of iodine, household salt samples were collected from students of four schools in North Delhi in October 2019. Awareness programme was also planned among the school children in view of Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day. The iodine content of the salt was estimated by standard iodometric titration method. 10 (10.4 %) salt samples were found to have iodine content < 15 ppm. Reasons for low iodine content in the 10 samples need to be assessed along with the information regarding the type of salt used. Measures need to be taken to ensure 100 % consumption of adequately iodized salt (≥ 15 ppm). Also, such periodic assessment should be undertaken to find out the situation in different schools.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36
Author(s):  
Amadou Diop ◽  
Rokhaya Gueye ◽  
Mamadou Balde ◽  
Khadidiatou Thiam ◽  
Nassifatou Koko Tittikpina ◽  
...  

Senegal is affected by a relatively high prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders, which compromises its social and economic development. To address this situation, the Universal Salt Iodization strategy was adopted by the Senegalese Government. The monitoring of salt iodine status is crucial to the success of such a program. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the iodine concentration of table salt from Senegalese households. A total of 1575 samples collected in urban and rural areas were analyzed using the iodometric method. The powdered salt samples showed higher mean iodine content (18.99 ppm) and lower percentage of non-compliance (58.4%) than the other salt types (p = 0.02). Most of the samples collected from urban area were found with iodine content between 15 and 39.9 ppm, whereas, in rural areas, the situation was significantly different (p = 0.01). Iodine levels of most samples were lower than 5 ppm in the rural producing area or varied between 5 to 14.9 ppm in the rural non-producing area. A percentage of 37.3% of adequately iodized salt samples was obtained at a national scale with a significant disparity between urban and rural areas. Therefore, improvements in quality control procedures in tandem with the iodization process are necessary and an information, education and communication strategy should be adopted.


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