Quezon City, 29 September – Amidst the pandemic, more work is being done at NNC Calabarzon to vigorously conduct salt testing of samples taken from various sources like supermarkets and markets in different parts of the region to ensure that its constituents are getting the sufficient and recommended iodine content in salt and food items.
In addition, the salt testing efforts of the region supports the continuous success of the significant drop in number of children (6-12 years of age ) and lactating women who are suffering from Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). The reports on the drop in IDD cases was based on the results of the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of the FNRI-DOST on “The reduction of target outcomes in different forms of malnutrition, specifically on micronutrient deficiency from Iodine.” In the survey, the prevalence of IDD among the population were compared from baseline data during 2013 with the more recent data from 2018.
Consequently, the results of the salt testing recently conducted by NNC Calabarzon showed that among the 75 salt samples from the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite, 26 samples or 35% of the samples are not adequately iodized or are below the recommended iodine content in salt (≥30ppm), while 14 out of 75 salt samples from the same provinces are over the recommended iodine content in salt (≤70ppm). Hence, there are still sources of iodized salt not adhering to the standard.
“The results of the salt testing will be presented to the Calabarzon RBATF so that actions may be taken so that the salt producers will comply with the DOH standards of “adequately iodized salt” which is 30-70ppm,” according to Ms. Allistaire Matocinos, Nutrition Officer II and secretariat of the interagency Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) of NNC Calabarzon. Ms. Matocinos also added that the results of the salt testing will be shared with the NNC Central Office.
In view of the value of iodized salt in preventing iodine disorders, the Batangas Provincial Bantay Asin Task Force headed by Dr. Rosvilinda Ozaeta has likewise been monitoring the iodized salt usage in the different municipalities of the province. Similarly, the City Nutrition Office of Tayabas City in Quezon Province, led by Ms. Manel Zaporteza- Chong, CNAO, recently conducted a community-wide distribution of FIDEL Iodized Salt, while other LGUs like Dasmarinas City through CNAO Elizabeth Hernandez have conducted citywide monitoring of salt from local markets using the WYD Iodine Checker.
The purpose of salt testing is to monitor the iodine content of salt available in the markets and it is important to regularly check and monitor the iodine levels of salt available in the community. WHO reported that despite the improvements in salt production and marketing technology, the quality of available salt remains poor – either that salt is incorrectly iodized or salt that has been correctly iodized deteriorates due to excessive or long-term exposure to moisture, light, heat and contaminants.
Iodine-fortified food items such as iodized salt are the cheapest and most accessible source of iodine for the public. Whereas, salt testing activities are envisioned to promote and protect the ASIN Law (or “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and For Other Purposes”) which requires salt manufacturers to iodize the salt they produce, import, manufacture, and distribute, as well as promote the use of iodized salt to prevent micronutrient malnutrition.
Through sustained united efforts, NNC Calabarzon and its stakeholders can reduce and eventually eliminate IDD cases that lead to goiter, thyroid malignancy, irreversible physical and mental retardation, and even death.
By: Darrenz William M. Mateos
