Indian Thyroid society expert consensus on salt Iodisation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Iodine, an essential micronutrient, is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine(T3) and thyroxine(T4). Thyroid hormones regulate the optimum mental development, physical growth and development, regulation of body metabolism, heat generation, and maintenance of body temperaturein an individual. Geological processes like flooding, soil erosion, deforestation, and rivers changing course, deplete the surface soil of iodine, as it is present in the top layers of soil and easily soluble in water. As a result, the population residing in the area with iodine-deficient soil, becomes susceptible to a spectrum of functional and developmental abnormalities due to dietary deficiency of iodine. Universal Salt Iodization (USI) for prevention of IDDs in India is a public health success story. The adoption of the salt iodization strategy serves as a textbook example of the journey of an intervention through the iterative loop of research to policy to programme. Salt iodization has proved to be a safe, accessible, available, affordable, and cost-effective strategy to address the burden of IDDs in India. India has been at the forefront of the efforts to control IDDs globally. India is on its way to achieving the target of > 90 percent household coverage of adequately iodized salt. Revised Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations released in 2019 introduced an upper limit for iodine concentration in salt, the adequate iodine level required at the production and consumer level, including the distribution channel at 15 – 30 ppm. Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) is India’s public health success story. There is a need to consolidate progress so far and focus on strategy to reach the “last mile”. Sustainable elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) with Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) being the primary strategy needs to also factor in harmonisation with salt reduction strategy for control of non-communicable diseases.