The Philippines FDA and National Nutrition Council met today with salt producers to discuss how to improve the country's current high levels of iodine deficiency. Today, 19 percent of Filipino children, 26 percent of expectant mothers and 34 percent of lactating mothers suffer moderate or severe iodine deficiency. The story in PhilStar.com noted agreement that universal salt iodization is "the simplest and most cost-effective way to introduce adequate amounts of iodine in people's diets" and that the current ASIN law mandates all food salt be iodized.

Despite the law and broad availability of iodized salt, iodine intake levels "have markedly declined," prompting the consultation meeting UNICEF and GAIN will also participate.

"Says UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Tomoo Hozumi: 'Over the last many decades, Universal Salt Iodization has proven to be one of the most cost-effective public health interventions in the world. For every $1 invested in salt iodization, there is an estimated return of anywhere between $12 and $30 in terms of productivity gain and the prevention of intellectual impairment in the concerned society.'"