Iodine Global Network (IGN)

Iodine in the global news

06. January 2015

India requires a National Salt Policy to achieve 100% USI

India requires a comprehensive National Salt Policy to achieve 100% Universal Salt Iodization (USI) and to address the numerous issues faced by the salt industry, industry experts said on Monday (5 January) at the India Salt Summit 2015 held in A...

06. January 2015

Six common patient misperceptions about iodine nutrition

There is good information about iodine nutrition and the thyroid available on the Internet, but unfortunately there is also misinformation. The following are six misperceptions about iodine nutrition and thyroid supplements that patients frequently ask ...

05. January 2015

Tanzania: 'sea salt' declared unfit for consumption

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has closed down the Sea Salt Limited Company for producing sub-standard salt, which is widely consumed in the country, especially in urban areas. According to TBS, in addition to having a low iodine content (14.6...

31. December 2014

GAIN will develop national iodine policy in Bangladesh

The government of Bangladesh has asked the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) to lead on the development of the country’s Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Act. The country, which is committed to reducing iodine deficiency among its...

18. December 2014

Consumption of iodized salt is low in Sudan

Sudan National Nutrition Strategy was presented by the Sudan delegation to the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) which will be convened on 19-21 November, 2014 in Rome, Italy. This part of our review focuses on the agricultural strategy...

15. December 2014

Ukraine: to improve economy, give your children iodized salt

As Ukraine’s economy is in a severe crisis, many Ukrainians are looking for ways to help their country. Obviously, there are no miracle solutions and many small improvements, both at the individual level and at the country level, will need to be...

11. December 2014

New iodized salt production plant opens in Delmas, Haiti

In partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and the Population (MSPP), the University of Notre Dame Haiti Program dedicated a new fortified salt production plant Monday (Dec. 8) in Delmas, Haiti. Several administrators were in attendance,...

03. December 2014

Oman must tackle IDD to improve child health

Some child-related issues need to be given more attention by the government of Oman to maintain the positive momentum, said Unicef's representative in Oman. Speaking to Times of Oman, Osama Makkawi Khogali said that these issues include early childhood...

22. November 2014

China plans to eliminate state monopoly on salt

China plans to scrap its state monopoly on the sale of salt, marking the end of a system with nearly 2,700 years of history. The move is intended to bolster competition. A monopoly on salt production was introduced as early as 685 B.C. in the state ...

17. November 2014

Food fortification program in Afghanistan prevents IDD

A recent survey conducted in Afghanistan in 2013 proved that the national food fortification programme funded through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KBZF) and other partners, and executed by GAIN, was successful in reducing the incidence of...

16. November 2014

Iodine deficiency: 90 years of progress, but much to be done

Iodine deficiency is one of the top three micronutrient deficiencies that are targeted by the World Health Organization. Statistics estimate that 18 million infants are mentally impaired each year due to frank iodine deficiency. Salt iodization is...

07. November 2014

Switzerland distributes iodine pills in case of nuclear accident

Every ten years the Swiss government distributes potassium iodide tablets to people living near nuclear plants. There are four nuclear power plants currently generating electricity in Switzerland. They are in the cantons of Aargau, (Beznau and L...

06. November 2014

Finnish dairy Valio to detail iodine content on all milk cartons

Finnish dairy Valio has charged itself with educating consumers in Finland and Sweden on the importance of iodine consumption. From November, the iodine content (16 mcg per 100 mL of milk) will be listed on the front and back of Valio milk cartons in...

03. November 2014

Thailand praised for efforts in fighting IDD

The Executive Director of the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), Prof. Dr. Michael Zimmermann has praised Thailand for its successful efforts to eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). He suggested that...

27. October 2014

Children in Colombia consume excess iodine

A study of 6 and 15 year old students in the municipalities Chía and Bosa (a southern district of Bogotá) demonstrated excess iodine levels. Colombia implemented a universal salt iodization policy and was declared free from iodine deficiency ...

27. October 2014

New insights into relationship between thyroid nodules, age and iodine intake

A systematic 11-year follow-up study in Danish adults offers new insights into the relationships between thyroid nodularity, age and iodine intake. Mandatory iodine fortification of all salt used in making bread was introduced in Denmark in 2000....

24. October 2014

Global IDD Day used to highlight importance of iodine consumption in Pakistan

Even during her third pregnancy, Sadia Arshad, 35, is completely clueless about the necessity of iodine in her diet. After a 15-minute antenatal checkup by her gynecologist at the Polyclinic hospital, the doctor handed over a prescription listing a ...

24. October 2014

Study links iodine deficiency to goiter in rural South Sudan

In a 2005 study, the number of households consuming iodized salt in South Sudan increased from 40% to 73%. But there are still many goiter cases in rural South Sudan, and iodine deficiency remains a major public health problem. A cross-sectional ...

24. October 2014

Survey shows 92% of families in Manipur, India are using iodized salt

The State Directorate of Health Services has observed Global Iodine Deficiency Disease Prevention Day at the Jubilee hall of RIMS today. Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing said that the day was observed to...

18. October 2014

Workshops in Pakistan teach media about impact of low iodine on child intelligence

Around 2.2 million children are born each year with mental disorders in Pakistan due to iodine deficiency in pregnant women. Addressing the media workshop on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), organised by The Network for Consumer Protection in...

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