ICCIDD vice chairman and Asia/Pacific Regional coordinator Cres Eastman presented Australia's experience in discovering its "solution" to iodine deficiency, use of iodized salt, had eroded over time and needed corrective measures, reported Medical News Today.

"'Until the 1950s, epidemic goiter from nutritional iodine deficiency was highly prevalent in Australia's mountainous eastern states and especially in Tasmania,' explains Dr. Eastman. 'When iodine containing sanitizers (iodophors) were introduced into the dairy industry, an 'accidental public health triumph' occurred. However, 40 years later, the dairy industry has phased out iodophors, substituting less expensive chlorine-containing sanitizers.'

"While iodized salt is available, less than 10 percent of consumers buy it and food manufacturers don't use iodized salt in their products.

"'The result is that the World Health Organization now recognizes Australia as being mildly iodine deficient,' explains Dr. Eastman. 'Because of increased costs and government regulation, food manufacturers have opposed policies that would require them to iodize the salt in their products.'

"'Lessons learned' include those about monitoring, publishing epidemiological studies, public health and medical association advocacy, gaining media attention and developing the cooperation of the food industry and pharmaceutical industries."