May 15 was "Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day" in China and the Ministry of Health used the occasion to announce that the single national standard for iodized salt in the world's most populous country will be customized by region to deliver the appropriate level of iodine to supplement the common diet in each region. Free Paper carried the story.

The revised guidance will be released later in 2011. The current standard is 20-50 mg/kg with an average of 20-30 mg/kg. Some provinces will see the maximum level increased to 60 mg/kg, most will remain unchanged, but some provinces have exceeded urinary iodine levels of 300 mg/L and their salt iodization level will be reduced. In Shandong Province, for example, the level is 31 mg/kg with "most other provinces" about 32 mg/kg. "Thus, according to last year's draft, the rate reduction will not be much."

The ministry noted that "the (new) standard test will be continuously adjusted." This is the model pioneered successfully in Switzerland.