The Philippine National Nutrition Council in Central Visayas (NNC 7) is urging the public to buy only those iodized salt with a Department of Health seal.
"Incorrect intake of iodine may lead to mental retardation and goiter," regional NNC coordinator Parolita Mission said. Mission said the NNC 7 now monitors the level of iodine concentration in iodized salt sold in the market.
Mission said they will seek the help of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force and the Food and Drugs Administration Philippines (FDA) in the monitoring.
"The right level of iodine is 15 parts per million (ppm). The level of iodine in most salts available in the region is only 5 ppm," Mission said.
The Goiter Awareness Week will be observed in the fourth week of January.