Abstract

LOPEZ LINARES, S  and  HEER I, Martín. Iodine Content of Salt Available at Retail Outlets in Different Areas from Three Regions in Argentina. Rev. argent. endocrinol. metab. [online]. 2014, vol.51, n.2, pp.59-65. ISSN 1851-3034.

Introduction: Iodine deficiency is the main cause of preventable mental deficiency and brain damage in the population. Salt iodization is required by law 17259/67 in Argentina. The aim of the study has been to determine the iodine content of salt available at retail outlets from different localities of provinces of the northwest (NOA), northeast (NEA), and Cuyo regions. Material and Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. We analyzed 80 packets of salt purchased from retail outlets in ten provinces, 44 localities. Iodine was determined by titration with sodium thiosulfate, con sidering the cut-off value established in the legislation as indicator for public health assessments (= 15 ppm) and the range of 20-40 ppm to meet the micronutrient requirements with adequate sodium consumption. Results: the average iodine content in salt and the standard deviation was 24.4 ± 13.3 ppm; 56.25 % was within the range of legal acceptance and only 68.75 % met the target range of 20 - 40 ppm. Considering brands, 15/30 did not reach the required iodine levels. From the point of view of product origin, the NOA region was the most affected, with 20.3 ± 13.5 ppm and 26.8 % < 15 ppm. For NEA salts, iodine content was 24.9 ± 12.4 ppm; 18.2 % < 15 ppm. The Cuyan region had higher levels of iodization, 33.7 ± 9.0 ppm, with no samples < 15 ppm but with 23.5 % of samples > 40 ppm. Average iodization levels by regions showed statistically significant differences. Conclusions: the fact that half the analysed salts fail to provide the nutrient requirements because of deficient or null iodization emphasises the need to implement a promotion and sustainability system of salt quality monitoring and assessment at different levels of the supply chain, in order to enforce healthcare policies designed to meet the two-fold challenge faced by our country of ensuring an adequate iodine supply and, at the same time, reducing sodium consumption, favouring social equity and improving public health. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 51:59-65, 2014 No financial conflicts of interest exist.

Keywords : Salt; Iodine deficiency; Public health.

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