Talibon, Bohol - The Municipal Nutrition Committee of Talibon, Bohol, chaired by Hon. Janette Aurestila-Garcia, purchased a WYD Salt Checker kit to monitor iodine content of salt in the markets of this progressive town of the province.

The WYD Salt testing kit is used to measure the quality of iodine in the salt. Iodine is an essential mineral that the body needs for proper thyroid functions. The thyroid produces hormones that is needed for bodily functions such as regulating the body’s metabolism and body temperature, controlling the heart and other muscle functions, growth and development. Most importantly, in childhood, iodine is vital in brain development.

NNC 7 Nutrition officer III Nasudi G. Soluta conducted a demonstration on 16 February 2022 on how to use the WYD Salt Checker to the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Narlou Artiaga-Wenceslao and the active staff from the Nutrition Office, Ms. Lilia Auza, Ms. Jacquilene Fernandez-Casiple and Ms. Archadia Dominica Regala. The team was able to test the iodized salt from the local market and iodized salt produced by a known salt company.

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies and defined as low intake of iodine in the diet. Although iodine is present mostly in seafood, the iodine content still varies. Thus, the Republic Act 8172, also known as “An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide,” or the ASIN LAW, requires that all salt that is marketed for consumption must be iodized, a move to eliminate the increasing cases of micronutrient malnutrition in the country.

The NNC Region VII applauded the effort of the local nutrition committee of Talibon, Bohol for supporting the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force in monitoring the salt supply in the region. Hopefully, more local government units in the region will procure the WYD Salt Checker Kit and fully implement the salt iodization program. // ND II Franz Cassandra Ontina, RND