The Hindu Business Line : Iron and iodine now a must for salt: Ramdoss

SALT manufacturers will soon have to compulsorily fortify salt with iron and iodine.The Government today reinstated the ban on sale of non-iodised salt for human consumption.

Speaking to newspersons, Health Minister, Dr A Ramadoss said, "We are giving two months' time to manufacturers. The ban on non-iodised salt will be enforced from August 15." Dr Ramadoss put to rest fears of a price hike due to the new rule.

"It will almost have no impact. There will only be a 10 paise per kilogram hike. The step is not detrimental to small producers, as even crystallised salt could be iodised," he said.

The Minister gave assurance that in the event of a price hike of iodised salt, the Government would take steps to stablise prices. There is a huge gap between requirement and production of iodised salt in the country, he said.

The Government had been following a salt-iodisation programme for 41 years. But after lifting the ban in 2000, consumption of adequately iodised salt fell from 49 per cent of the population to 37.

Anaemia, caused due to iron deficiency, has emerged a major threat to the health of mothers and children. The Government will, therefore, soon also make fortification of salt with iron compulsory.

"The National Institute of Nutrition has been experimenting with double fortification of salt with iodine and iron. There was a problem of stability and colour which has now been taken care of," he said.

While most of the branded salt manufacturers such as Tata, HLL and ITC have been selling iodised salt, it is the smaller ones who have been selling salt without iodine. The Government's announcement today is likely to impact these small manufacturers, said analysts.

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