Iodized salt is table salt mixed with a minute amount of various iodine salts.
The ingestion of iodine prevents iodine deficiency.
Worldwide, iodine deficiency affects about two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Deficiency also causes thyroid gland problems, including endemic goiter.
In many countries, iodine deficiency is a major public health problem that can be cheaply addressed by purposely adding small amounts of iodine to the sodium chloride salt.
Iodine is a micronutrient and dietary mineral that is naturally present in the food supply in some regions.
This is especially near sea coasts but is generally quite rare in the Earth’s crust since iodine is a so-called heavy element, and abundance of chemical elements typically declines with greater atomic mass.
Where natural levels of iodine in the soil are low and vegetables do not take up the iodine, iodine added to salt provides the small but essential amount of iodine needed by humans.
Table salt with iodide may rapidly lose its iodine content in high temperature and high relative humidity conditions through the process of oxidation and iodine sublimation.
Poor manufacturing techniques and storage processes can also lead to insufficient amounts of iodine in table salt.
There are four inorganic compounds are used as iodide sources, depending on the producer: potassium iodate, potassium iodide, sodium iodate, and sodium iodide.
These compounds supplies the body with the iodine required for the biosynthesis of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones by the thyroid gland.
Salt is an effective vehicle for distributing iodine: it does not spoil and is consumed in more predictable amounts than most other commodities.
Salt that is iodized with iodide may slowly lose its iodine content by its exposure to excess air over long periods.
Moisture accelerates the decomposition of iodate.
Iodized salt cannot be used as a substitute for potassium iodide (KI) to protect a person’s thyroid gland in the event of a nuclear emergency.
Worldwide, iodine deficiency affects two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Iodization of salt may be the world’s simplest and most cost-effective measure available to improve health, only costing US$0.05 per person per year.
The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends 150 micrograms (0.15 mg) of iodine per day for adults.
Iodized salt is not mandatory in the United States, but it is widely available.
Contrary to popular belief, however, iodized salt affects neither colour, taste, nor consistency of pickles.
Processed food from the US almost universally does not use iodised salt, raising concerns about possible deficiency.
Fortification of salt with other elements
Salt can also be double-fortified with iron and iodine.
It could serve as a sustainable approach to combating both iodine and iron deficiency disorders in areas where both deficiencies are prevalent.[49]
In some countries, table salt is treated with potassium fluoride to enhance dental health.