Cebu City – Nowadays, salts are accessible at any sari-sari store in our neighborhood. However, not all of these types of stores sell iodized salt especially in areas where sources of iodine fortified salts are limited.

But a sari-sari store, also known as community sundry store, can be a good “go to” area for residents to have access to this essential mineral.  As a one stop shop providing locals with everything from daily food necessities to cleaning supplies, iodized salt can be one of them. The word sari-sari is a Tagalog term meaning "variety" or "sundry". Such stores occupy an important economic and social location in a Filipino community and are pervasive in localities and along streets.

Iodine is an element that is needed to produce thyroid hormone. The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet. Iodine is found in various foods such as seafoods, fish, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products. If you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Thus, iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter), hypothyroidism, and intellectual disabilities in infants and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy.

It is important that residents have an easy access to iodized salt to prevent goiter and other form of IDD.  With most of the Filipinos patronizing sari-sari stores, this can be a good vehicle to supply iodized salt to the public. Local governments should monitor sari-sari stores and encourage them to sell only iodized salts. ND II Sarah Belle I. Antiola, RND