Iodine Deficiency Severe in Nagaland; Traders Pledge to Stock and Sell Iodized Salt

Guwahati: As the world celebrates Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day on October 21, iodine deficiency remains one of the most neglected and most widespread of all nutritional deficiencies across the world. Amongst them, the Northeastern state of Nagaland falls under “areas of severest iodine deficiency." As per reports, during the observance of Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day" at the LCS Building in Kohima, state Programme officer of National Disorders Control Programme, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Akuo Sorhie, revealed that Nagaland falls under areas of severest iodine deficiency. She added that iodine deficiency remains one of the most neglected and most widespread of all nutritional deficiencies in the world.

Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) is a is a major public health problem worldwide. It is confirmed that one out of every five people in India lies in IDD endemic areas. It is estimated that 1.5 billion people in the world and over 200 million people are at risk of getting IDDs. India alone has more than 71 million people suffering from goitre and other IDDs. Although several measures have been taken up to uproot the problem, the suffering persists.

It needs to be mentioned here that Nagaland was declared as one of the Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) endemic state in India through a baseline survey conducted by ICMR in early 1960’s where 34.3% of goitre prevalence was recorded.

Expressing concern over the issue and touching on the theme of “Iodised salt and traders responsibilities,” Dr Sorhie urged the salt traders to join the fight against IDDs now. She stated that traders should sell only iodised salt for human consumption. Stating that iodised salt traders carry an important responsibility in ensuring universal consumption of iodised salt, Dr Sorhie urged traders not to keep stocks of both iodised salt and non-iodised salt without proper segregation and means of identification. She also urged them to buy iodised salt only from reputed and authorized iodised salt producers and also check the quality of iodised salt held in stock and be sure that it contains 15 ppm(parts per million) or above of iodine before releasing in the market.

Talking about the ban of non-iodised salt in the country, Dr Sorhie mentioned that “Selling of non-iodised salt is banned in the country under provisions of PFA Act 1954 and is liable for prosecution." In pursuance of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition & Restriction on sales) Regulation Act, Government of Nagaland has prohibited the sale of non-iodised salt for human consumption and any individual that any individual/wholesaler/trader found selling non-iodised for human consumption is liable for prosecution and shall be penalized under Section 58 of Food Safety & Standard Act, a government notification issued earlier in 2017 stated.

Talking on the issue, Dr Ritu Thurr, Chief Medical Officer, Kohima also expressed his concern and said more than 20 crore people are at the risk of Iodine deficiency disorder in the country. He said about 7% crore people suffer from IDD, hence if a small quantity of iodine compound is added, Iodine deficiency can be prevented.

Meanwhile, on the occasion, salt traders in Kohima took a pledge to stock and sell only iodised salt in their shops for human consumption and declared that being the vital link between iodised salt producers and consumers, safeguarding the health of the people is their responsibility.