NNC7 urges LGUs in Central Visayas to enforce salt iodization law

CEBU CITY – The National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Region VII reiterates its push for the strict enforcement of RA-8172, An Act for Salt lodization Nationwide (ASIN Law) and urged local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas to ensure the full implementation of the salt iodization in the market as the country observes Goiter Awareness Week every end of January.

“Salt is an effective vehicle for iodine and other nutrients as it is consumed at constant levels by the population.  With this, universal salt iodization is a recommended primary prevention method against the risk of iodine deficiency disorders,” Dr. Parolita Mission, NNC-7 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator said.

Mission pointed out that iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are felt mostly among the women of reproductive age whose neonates are at high risk of irreversible mental impairment if the women are iodine deficient before giving birth.

Another group of women susceptible to IDD are those providing breast milk to their children, as this may be the only source of iodine during the first six months of their children’s life, Mission added.

Iodine is a trace element needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. These hormones are important in the growth, development, and control of metabolic processes in the body. Lack of iodine can lead to iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) like goiter, as well as irreversible brain damage in the fetus and infant and retarded psychomotor development in children.

She recommends for LGUs to develop and strictly enforce policies in a coordinated manner that support universal salt iodization to protect pregnant women and women of reproductive age from the risk of IDD through food fortification and dietary supplementation.

“This is a nutrition-specific initiative that supports the desired outcome of the 2023–2028 Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) to reduce all forms of malnutrition,” Mission said.

Mission added that the World Health Organization (WHO) endorses the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) which ensures that all salt for human and animal consumption is iodized including salt for food processing, as a global strategy to eliminate IDDs.

The NNC7, according to Mission had recommended the following policies to support the implementation of the ASIN LAW-- regulate the fortification of salt with iodine; ensure equitable access for all population groups particularly women needing iodine-fortified salt:  regulate the salt quality and content of products by food producers and distributors and to strengthen nutrition program leadership and local nutrition committees in all LGUs in the country. (Photos: NNC/Google Images)