Nepal Plans to Study Salt Iodisation in India to Address High Iodine Levels
Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population is taking a significant step to tackle high iodine levels in salt by sending an expert team to India to study the iodisation process. The decision to determine the upper limit for iodine content in salt will be based on the team’s findings and recommendations following their visit to India.
Lila Bikram Thapa, the chief of the nutrition section at the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, confirmed the plan, stating that health experts, specialists from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, and representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund will be part of the team.
Iodine is a mineral that occurs naturally in seafood and plants near the seas. In areas where iodine is naturally scarce, it needs to be artificially introduced into the diet through fortified food products.
In Nepal, the Salt Trading Corporation is responsible for importing and distributing salt, and it currently fortifies iodine at a level of 50 parts per million (ppm) per kilogramme of salt, which is higher than the recommended dosage. The World Health Organization suggests an iodine concentration of 15 to 40 ppm per kilogramme.
Officials explain that the higher iodine level was mandated for Nepal in the 1990s because they believed transport and storage times were longer back then. Since salt had to be carried on the backs of men and animals, some iodine would dissipate by the time it reached remote markets. However, with improved transportation infrastructure, there is no longer a need for such high levels of iodine in salt, according to doctors.
It is suspected that the excessive iodine content in salt sold in Nepal may be one of the reasons behind the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including thyroid disorders, in the country.
In a previous high-level meeting involving representatives from the World Health Organization Nepal office, UNICEF, and various government ministries, a proposal was agreed upon to establish an upper limit for iodine in salt. However, no official decision has been made yet to lower the iodine content.
In 1993, Nepal made it mandatory to fortify salt with iodine to combat health problems caused by iodine deficiency since salt is widely consumed and affordable throughout the year.
Iodine deficiency in the diet can lead to hypothyroidism, where the thyroid glands produce too little thyroxine and result in the development of goitres.
Multiple studies, including the 2016 Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey conducted by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Ministry of Health and Population, have revealed that Nepalis consume excessive amounts of iodine, leading to a high prevalence of hyperthyroidism.
According to the Non-communicable Disease Risk Factors: Steps Survey-2019, a significant number of adults in Nepal reported adding salt to food right before or during meals and consuming processed foods high in salt regularly. Excessive salt intake has not only contributed to thyroid disorders but also poses a major risk factor for hypertension, a leading cause of premature deaths globally.
Doctors attribute the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, to changes in dietary patterns and the rising consumption of processed foods, including packaged soups.
The World Health Organization advises that adults should consume less than two grams of sodium or five grams of salt per day to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. It also recommends implementing policies to reduce salt intake, including reformulating food products, establishing supportive environments in public institutions, conducting communication and media campaigns, and using front-of-pack labelling to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.
By studying salt iodisation in India, Nepal aims to address the high iodine levels in salt and promote public health. This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to taking necessary measures based on expert advice and recommendations to ensure the well-being of its population.
