CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 5 (PIA)- The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) Northern Mindanao will conduct salt monitoring in Cagayan de Oro City’s (CDO) manufacturing areas, sea port, and major public markets this year.
This after results of previous monitoring in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao showed that a number of retail stores are still selling non-iodized salt or inadequately iodized salt.
During the first semester meeting of RBATF on March 5 in Cagayan de Oro City, Liwayway S. Llorico, Nutrition Officer II of National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 10, shared that for iodized salt to be adequate for household consumption, iodine content must not be less than 15 parts per million (ppm).
Out of the 100 stores they checked in 2018 and 2019, 21 have not passed the WYD Iodine Checker, a tool that verifies the quality of iodine content in salt.
Lanao del Norte had the highest non-compliance with only eight stores out of 20 that passed the salt monitoring done by the task force.
Misamis Occidental, meanwhile, had eight stores out of 10 that passed while Camiguin had 44 stores that passed out of 50, and Bukidnon with 26 out of 30 that passed.
The lowest iodine content checked by the group is from Lala, Lanao del Norte with -0.6 iodine ppm with supplier from Lianghong, RTM and still some zero iodine ppm content from Dipolog manufacturers.
Llorico said there is a need to also check manufacturing establishments.
They have to at least provide higher iodine ppm content, preferably 30-70 ppm or more, at their level so that when it is stored and delivered to the stores, iodine still remains in the salt.
According to Llorico, iodine in salt easily diminishes especially due to poor handling and storage. She said proper storage and handling of iodized salt are needed to maintain its adequacy. Iodine in salt diminishes when it is exposed to air or heat, she added.
Results of the monitoring were made available to governors in the province for them to craft their next steps to eradicate non-iodized salt in their markets, said Llorico.
Meanwhile, NNC-10 and the task force have recommended that local government units create their own Provincial Bantay Asin Task Force and craft ordinances to strengthen monitoring of salt in their area.
Republic Act 8172 or An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN) aims to contribute to the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition in the country, particularly iodine deficiency disorders, through the cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization. (JMOR/PIA10)
