One of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) targets is eliminating micronutrient deficiencies in the Philippines. To reinforce the advocacy in battling the problem of micronutrient deficiencies, specifically, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), Republic Act No. 8172 or “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and For Related Purposes,” also known as the ASIN Law, was enacted in 1995. This law requires the iodization of all food-grade salt for human and animal consumption. To support the regulation and monitoring of adequately iodized salts in the region, Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) XII was organized.
The RBATF XII tasked the National Nutrition Council (NNC) XII to lead salt monitoring activity region-wide. In collaboration with the local Nutrition Action Officer (NAO), the task force randomly collected salt samples from selected retailers, food establishments, and bakeries in the specified LGUs, including Gen. Santos City, Kidapawan City Glan, Sarangani, and municipalities of Pikit, Pres. Roxas, Pigcawayan, and Libungan in Cotabato Province, and municipalities of T’Boli and Tupi in South Cotabato Province. The monitoring activity ensures that the salts sold in all outlets such as supermarkets, wet markets, and foodservice establishments should have standard iodine content of about 30-70ppm. The monitoring results will serve as the basis for the conduct of technical assistance on RA 8172 to the concerned LGU and the advocacy activity to support its implementation.
The collected salt samples were tested using the WYD iodine checker machine at NNC XII Office. A copy of the salt testing results will be provided to the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the concerned LGU for their information and appropriate actions such as re-organization of Local Bantay Asin Task Force (LBATF), advocacy and information dissemination on the importance of consuming salts with a diamond seal, mobilization of salt vendors, retailers, and food establishments to sell and utilized iodized salts and informing them on proper storage and packaging to preserve the quality of iodized salt. Further, NNC XII recommends the LGUs to invest in WYD iodine checker machine to monitor and regulate the quality of salt available in the locality.
Based on the monitoring results, the government and other stakeholders should continue to ramp up their collaborative efforts in understanding and finding ways to address the challenges to the access and adequate use of iodized salt in every household, particularly in SOCCSKSARGEN. Moreover, RBATF XII is currently institutionalizing the implementation of RA 8172 in the region hence various endeavors like salt monitoring, technical assistance, and follow-up activities will be conducted in the upcoming months. (LFU/AMF/RML)
