On 28 December 2022, the National Nutrition Council Region IX, spearheaded by the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Nimfa D. Ekong, successfully conducted the Regional Food Fortification and Salt Iodization Program Forum held via mixed approach. It was attended by no less than forty (40) participants which are composed of the members of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force, P/C/MNAOs, D/C/MNPCs, and BNS from the provinces and cities in the region. The activity aims to strengthen information dissemination on the Food Fortification and Salt Iodization Program, present the Consolidated Results of Salt Testing in the Region, and present the Salt Iodization Program Updates of P/CBATF in the Region. The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force is a technical group of the Regional Nutrition Anti-Hunger Committee in the Zamboanga Peninsula. It was organized in 2014 to revitalize the implementation of the Salt Iodization Program covered by the Republic Act 8172 of 1995 or an Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide. It is chaired by the DOH Regional Director with the National Nutrition Council serving as Vice Chair.

Malnutrition, our common enemy, comes in many forms. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed by the body in very small amounts. Thus, micronutrient deficiencies are defined as insufficient levels of vitamins and minerals in the body, are one of these. Clinical manifestations of micronutrient deficiencies appear when the condition is severe and has resulted in more severe health consequences. The most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and in the Philippines are Vitamin A, Iron, and Iodine. So, how serious is micronutrient deficiency? About 2 billion people lack key micronutrients like Vitamin A and Iron, and about 1.1 million children go blind or die each year from Vitamin A deficiency. If we circle back to the Ambisyon Natin 2040, Philippine Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals, one of the SDGs is the Reduction of Micronutrient deficiencies. Further, one of the eight Nutrition Specific Programs under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition is the Mandatory Food Fortification.

The Philippine Food Fortification Program with Salient Features of RA 8976 was discussed by DMO II Ms. Marie-Claire A. Gaas. Fortification is an addition of micronutrients that are deficient in the diet to a food that is widely consumed by a specific at-risk group. The main objectives of the food fortification program are 1. To provide the basis for the need for a   food fortification program in the   Philippines: The Micronutrient   Malnutrition Problem; 2. To discuss various types of food fortification strategies; and 3. To provide an update on the current situation of food fortification in the   Philippines. The goal of the plan is to make widely available vitamin A and iron-fortified foods that would contribute to an increase in the micronutrient intake by at least 50% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of the vulnerable groups (preschool children and women of reproductive age). The plan is to continue with the projects currently implemented as follows: 

  a) Fortification of salt with iodine

  b) Flour with vitamin A and iron

  c) Rice with iron

  d) Sugar and oil with vitamin A

  e) Processed foods with Sangkap Pinoy Seal particularly condiments with iron.

The Salt Iodization Program with Salient Features of RA 8172 was discussed by Ms. Farah Grace Carlos-Alberto, Health Program Officer, from DOH CHD IX. Based on the recent Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) conducted by the DOST-FNRI, Iodine deficiency disorder has decreased significantly among pregnant and lactating women. For adolescents, pockets of Iodine Deficiency Disorder still exist for 10-12 years old. For the elderly, Iodine deficiency disorder decreased, but excessive intake increased. With all these issues and concerns, fortification through salt iodization continues to be recognized as the cheapest, safest, most efficient, and long-term intervention that would address Iodine Deficiency Disorder effectively.  The core and essence of RA 8172 is the mandatory iodization of all salt for human and animal consumption, referring to salt that is locally produced, imported, and distributed to retail, the ASIN Law also requires the use of iodized salt in food processing and in food establishments.

The Consolidated Results of Salt Testing in the Region were presented by DMO II Calapardo. The WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD recommends that the salt iodine content at the packaging level must be 50-60 ppm and 20-30 ppm at the retail shops, to achieve at least 15 ppm in the household dietary consumption. Part of the monitoring plan of the RBATF is to monitor the adequacy of iodine in Iodized Salt traded in the major markets in the provinces and cities of the region.  Thus, the National Nutrition Council 9 scheduled monitoring through the collection of salt samples in the Provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and the five (5) cities (Zamboanga, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan, Isabela) tested in the regional office.

So, what are the possible gaps and challenges encountered during the collection of salt samples in the region? First, the storage room should be well-ventilated, clean and dry storage is also necessary. It is also necessary to maintain the right temperature, to keep away salt samples from water dump or moisture, and not to expose them directly to the sun. Packaging should be airtight and provide a good moisture barrier. The packaging must be kept away from any dirt. If possible, packaging must be opaque/non-transparent.

Thereafter, the Local Bantay Asin Task Force (LBATF) from the Provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City, and Isabela City presented the Salt Iodization Program Updates. Some plans of the LBATF in strengthening the Salt Iodization Program in their locality are 1. Purchasing of WYD checker; 2. Reorganization of the LBATF; and 3. Reorientation of the Food fortification and Salt Iodization Program must be conducted in each LGU which includes all members of the LBATF

The ways forward were presented by RNPC Ms. Nimfa Ekong, in which the planned activities of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) are as follows: 1. Training on Salt Testing using WYD Checker; 2. Food Fortification and Salt Iodization Program Regional Conference 2023; 3. Video shooting for Instructional Video for the Calibration and Use of the WYD Checker; 4. Orientation of LGUs on LBATF; and 5. Reproduction of IEC materials on Iodized Salt. The National Law mandates the universal use of Iodized Salt for human and animal consumption as a cost-effective preventive measure to contribute to the elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the population. It also requires salt producers and traders to iodize their salt or sell only iodized salt.  To further functionalize the roles of the Regional and Local Bantay Asin Task Force, regular meetings and monitoring activities should be continuously carried out to address issues on implementation and to ensure that salt traders comply with the requirements set in the law.  

ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND