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A draft notification announcing re-imposition of ban on sale of non-iodised salt was notified on May 27, 2005 under Section 23 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA). Public comments were invited within sixty days which ended on July 26, 2005. A large number of comments which have been received are being processed.
Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) continue to pose a serious threat to the health, well being, economic productivity and advancement of several hundred million people worldwide. The sad reality is that people living in iodine deficient environment and consuming only locally grown food, suffer from reduced mental and physical abilities, cretinism, deaf-mutism, squint, still-birth, abortion, goiter of all ages, neuro-motor defects, etc. All these conditions have profound implications for the individual and family and impose significant burden on the community affecting the Human Resource Development and productivity of the Nation per se.
Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones which are needed for optimal mental and physical development and regulation of body metabolism. It is important for the development of brain as its deficiency could result in permanent brain damage which could be prevented by correcting iodine deficiency before and during pregnancy (90 per cent of the human brain development occurs between third month of pregnancy and the third year of life). It is also the single most common cause of mental handicap. The ill effects could also result in spontaneous abortion, still-births and increased pre-natal mortality. Iodine deficiency can also result in defects of speech and hearing, squint, psychomotor defects as also loss of intelligence quotient (I.Q.). Besides, the goiter, the iodine deficiency also leads to increased susceptibility to nuclear radiation. Therefore, in iodine deficiency populations, it is critical to have effective universal salt iodisation.
So far, 92 countries of the world including China and the neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand, etc., are implementing compulsory salt iodisation for human consumption. Globally iodated salt is recognized as the cheapest and most sustainable way to prevent and control Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Except few types of goiter, most of the iodine deficiency disorders are irreversible and permanent in nature, but they can be easily prevented by regular consumption of iodated salt daily. The average consumption of salt per person per day is about 10 grams which can supply 100-150 microgram of iodine required for normal human growth and development. Our country is self sufficient in production of Iodated salt as we have developed a capacity of 124 lakh MT per annum as against a current requirement of 50 lakh MT.
The decision to re-impose the ban was taken in the light of several developments. The Directorate General of Health Services, Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and State Health Directorates conducted surveys covering 321 districts in all the 35 States/Union Territories show that 260 districts are endemic to Iodine Deficiency Disorders where the prevalence is more than 10 per cent. Thus, no State/UT is free from Iodine Deficiency Disorders. About 200 million people of our country are at the risk of IDD, while the number of people currently suffering from IDD is about 71 million.
The study carried out by the National Institute of Nutrition and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, showed a drop in the consumption of iodine from 49 per cent in 1998-99 to 37 per cent in 2002-03. All States and Union Territories have population suffering from iodine deficiency diseases. In 2002, the RCH survey shows a drop in the use of iodised salt at household level in North India from 91 – 53 percent range to 87 – 24 range. In the heartland and in States like Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal, consumption of iodised salt at household fell to a mere 5 per cent in 2002, as against 49 percent in 1998-99. In India, iodised salt coverage is less than 80 percent and about 13 million new born (50%) go unprotected every year due to non-iodisation of salt.
In yet another development, a Supreme Court ruling has held that the power of the State food authorities under Section 7(iv) of the PFA Act is transitory in nature to deal with local emergencies and can last only for a short period of time. In the same judgment, the Supreme Court has held that Central Government has full powers to issue a ban in the interest of public health under Section 23 of the PFA Act which can be for the whole country. States like Arunachal Pradesh have already withdrawn the state ban on non-iodised salt fearing that it may be struck down. Therefore, a need arose to impose a Central ban on non-iodised salt.
In view of aforesaid judgement of the Supreme Court and to prevent and control the Nutrition Iodine Deficiency Disorders, the Central government has decided to re-impose the ban notification on sale of non-iodated salt under Section 23 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. As a result of this, all people of our country will be in a position to consume Iodated salt regularly. The Cost of Iodisation is hardly 10 paise per kg. This cost is already built into the market cost of iodated salt. Thus, as a result of iodisation, there will not be any significant increase in the cost of salt.
The Ministry of Health is implementing National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Programme (NIDDCP) as 100% Centrally assisted programme with emphasis on IDD Survey, supply of iodated salt, Laboratory Monitoring and health education.
*Information Officer, PIB, New Delhi
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