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Production And Availabitity of Iodised Salt
STATE –WISE
PROFILE
GOVT. of
Ministry of
Commerce & Industry
A. IODINE
DEFICIENCY DISORDERS: MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM
Universal iodisation of salt- which
is both a preventive and a corrective measure for iodine deficiency – is a
vital necessity in India today. Although the country has long recognized the
public health importance of iodine deficiency, it is only recently that the
full extent of the prevalence and magnitude of iodine deficiency disorders
(IDD) with all their implications have become evident. In fact, India is one of
the major endemic iodine deficiency countries in the world.
The general notion that iodine
deficiency is confined to ‘endemic’ areas needs to be replaced by the factual
perception of wide spread prevalence of IDD. No state in India is free from the
illeffects of IDD, and surveys, whenever undertaken, are continuously
identifying new pockets of iodine deficiency.
Already, the number of primary
school going children in endemic areas is estimated to be 40 million. The total
IQ points lost (10/child) amounts to 400 million. Moreover, as a result of insufficient
iodine intake, there are more than 20,00,000 overt cretins in India. Universal
iodisation of slat – the most cost effective, long term solution to an
important public health problem- is thus important public health problem – is
thus of supreme significance for the health of the nation and its people.
The deleterious
effects of iodine deficiency which extend to other crucial areas such as child
survival, serve to underline the urgent need for universal iodisation of salt.
The total number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, attributable to iodine
deficiency is over 90,000. In fact, the need for iodine starts even before a
child is born. When a child is deprived of its iodine needs during the period
the brain is developing (early pregnancy to the first post-natal year), the
consequences could be disastrous. Lack of iodine interferes with the brain
development of the foetus and results in the birth of iodine deficient babies
who may be cretins characterized by mental deficiency, hearing defects, aquint
and stunted growth.
Women in childbearing age and
children under the age of 15 years are most susceptible to IDD. The most common
and visible ill effects are goiter an abnormal swelling in the neck. A less
obvious but more serious condition affecting millions of iodine deficient
children includes impaired mental function, intellectual performance, lowered
IQ, muscular disorders and impaired coordination and sluggishness. In
pregnancy, iodine deficiency causes spontaneous abortions, stillbirths and infant
deaths.
Iodine deficiency also affects
animals and livestock, reducing milk, meat, eggs and wool yields.
Administration of iodised salt to animals improves their health and
productivity and minimizes the number of stillbirths and miscarriages. Also,
cattle that are fed iodised salt produce milk that is rich in iodine.
Universalisation of iodised salt thus has a significant effect on human
development and the quality of a nation’s resources.
Animals Pregnancy
* Reduced yield of milk, eggs * Spontaneous abortions
meat and wool.
* Reproductive
failure. * Interferes
with brain development of the foetus.
* Birth of
iodine deficient babies - Cretins
Adults Childhood
* Lack
energy *
Lowered IQ (10-15 points)
* Tire
easily *
Impaired learning and preschool
Performance.
* Reduced
productivity * Mental
retardation
*
Delayed motor development
*
Growth failure or stunting
*
Lack of energy
*
Muscular disorders
*
Paralysis
*
Speech defects
*
Hearing defects
B. IODISED SALT-THE REMEDY FOR PREVENTAION OF
IODINE DEFICIENCY
Iodine is an essential dietary nutrient
that helps the body to produce
thyroxin-the hormone that regulates normal growth and development. The
quantity of iodine
is minute-150 to 200
micrograms per day which amounts to a pinhead a month. An average lifetime
requirement of an individual would add upto less than a teaspoonful
of iodine. And yet iodine deficiency is amongst the major
health problems faced by the
developing world with more than
one billion people at risk. Iodine deficiency results from geological rather
than social and
economic conditions. The
problem is
aggravated by environmental
factors such as accelerated deforestation and soil
erosion. Unlike nutrients such as iron, calcium or the vitamins, iodine does
not occur naturally in specific foods;
rather it is present in the soil
and is imbibed through foods
grown on that soil. The ideal situation
is where the daily needs of
iodine are net from the natural foods grown in iodine rich soils.
Food
gorwn in iodine deficient
regions can never
provide enough iodine to the population and livestock living
in such areas. Thus,
if an area is iodine deficient,
IDD cannot be eliminated by changing dietary habits or
eating certain kinds of foods grown in that area. The correction has to
be achieved by supplying iodine through an external
source. This can be done by fortifying a
commonly consumed food with iodine.
C. SALT-A SUITABLE FOOD MEDIUM FOR IODISATION
Salt
has been accepted
as the most ideal
vehicle for supplementing iodine to the entire population for the following reasons:-
It is one of the few commodities that
comes closest to being universally
consumed in uniform
amounts daily by
all sections of society
irrespective of economic level.
Since
the production of salt is limited
to fewer
centers than other food products, a fixed dosage of iodine compound an
be added to the salt which will then reach a majority of the population
all over the region or country
The
mixing of an
iodine compound to salt is
a simple operation without any
chemical reactions.
The addition of iodine compound does not
changes the colour, taste or odour of
common salt, thus making it acceptable
to all.
The
cost of iodising salt is low-only 5% of the total cost
of iodised salt.
Iodised salt is safe.
D. FORTIFICATION OF SALT WITH IODINE.
The level of iodine in iodised salt is
well within the safe limits. In India,
common salt is iodised with potassium iodated to an iodine content level of 30 ppm (50 ppm
potassium iodate) to allow
for iodine loss and ensure that by the
time the salt reaches
the retail level it still has at least 15 ppm of iodine (25 ppm potassium iodate). Even if
there is no loss of iodine in transit or
storage, and taking only cooking losses into
account, the iodine level in the salt is still safe.
India
imports crude iodine and
the imported iodine
is converted into potassium idoate by the electro-chemical process. There are
20 agencies recognised by the
Salt Department as suppliers of potassium iodate, who import
iodine and convert this into potassium
iodate, which is then supplied for iodisation
to salt manufacturers, traders and repacekers. Once it is imported, availing concessional customs duty,
potassium iodate is required for
iodising 20 tonnes of salt at the 50 ppm level. The standards for food grade potassium iodate used in the
blending of edible common
salt have been
prescribed under prevention
of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), which prescribe minimum 99.8% potassium iodated with other constituents
within the specified limits.
E. POLICY ON UNIVERSAL SALT IODISATION
The
strategy of fortification of salt with iodine has been adopted
by the government of India for
prevention of IDD. The history of salt iodisation programme in
India dates back to 1954, when a comprehensive study was undertaken in a
population of 1,00,000 in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh,
by Peof.
V. Ramalingaswamy and his associates.
The aim of the study was to substantiate the
role of iodine deficiency as the causative factor of endemic goiter in the Himalayan belt and
to study the effectiveness of iodine
prophylaxis. After six years of supplying three zones in the study area
respectively with common salt, salt fortified
with potassium iodide and
potassium iodate, it was
established that the goiter prevalence rate in zones
supplied with common salt registered an increase in the
prevalence of goiter. The Study
also revealed that potassium iodate was a
more effective agent than the potassium iodide. Following the landmark
Kangra valley studies,
and relying on
its findings, the Government of
India launched the
National Goiter Control Programme in
1962 and began
supplying iodised salt-the universally recognised medium of
dietary iodine supplementation -to
the goiter -endemic areas in the
sub Himalayan belt.
When endemic goiter was
found prevalent in almost every state
of India, the Government of India reviewed its policy and decided to
allow private sector participation
in the production
and distribution of iodised salt iodisation under the National Goiter
Control Programme (NGCP).
As an important part of the strategy to
universalise iodised salt and overcome constraints, the Government of India introduced
a series of
administrative and ligislative
measure which includes:-
·
Steps to streamline
production and distribution.
·
Measures to ensure
effective packing.
·
Notification of a ban at
state and union territory level on sale
of no-iodised edible salt
under Prevention of
Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954.
The Government of India's efforts to universalise
iodisation of salt acquired
new dimensions from
the following important international and regional
events:-
·
In many
1990, the 43rd World Health
Assembly passed a resolution
commending the Government,
intergovernmental and
bilateral agencies and non-governmental
organisations for their efforts to
prevent and control IDD. The assembly decided to "aim at eliminating IDD as a major
health problem in all countries by the
year 2000".
·
In September 1990, the historic World Summit
for Children, convened by the United
Nations, adopted a Paln of Action
setting out the goals. Amongst the goals was "Virtual
Elemination of IDD".
·
The second SAARC
Conference on Children in South Aisa,
held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in September 1992 also declared
"Universal Access of Iodised Salt by 1995".
India
is a signatory to all the above
resolutions. The nomenclature of
NGCP has since been changed to
National Iodine Deficiency Disorders
Control Programme (NIDDCP)
to focus attention on the entire
gamut of IDDs.
Government
of India also introduced an amendment
in the National Plan of Action
for Children (NPA) to include
"Universal Access of Iodised Salt by 1995" as a specific goal.
II. ACTION INITIATED TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF
UNIVESAL ACCESS TO IODISED SALT
The
objectives of National
Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) are:-
·
Supply of iodised salt
in place of edible common salt in the entire country.
·
Resurvey to assess the
impact on supply of iodised salt.
The
Government of India has been advising State Government of
India has been advising State
Government to establish
IDD Cells in their territories; issue ban notifications and monitors the quality of iodised salt sold.
A. ADVOCACY WITH STATE GOVERNMENTS AND SALT
PRODUCERS
With
a view to
motivate the State
level IDD Control Programme Officers,
officials of Civil Supplies &
Industries Department, Research Scholars & Scientist, as well as the
salt & iodised salt
manufacturers, dealers,
wholesalers, etc. about their
role in eliminating IDD and to promote greater interaction for propagating the need to take iodised salt
among the people, six sensitisation
meetings were held:-
·
North East Zone at New
Delhi on 4.3.1999.
·
North Zone at New Delhi
on 21.12.1999.
·
South Zone at Chennai on
28.12.1999.
·
West Zone at Ahmedabad
on 12.10.2000.
Following
are the general recommendations made in the
above meetings:-
1.
It is unanimously agreed
that the iodised salt is available
freely and is
cost effective. It should be taken
by all for edible purposes.
2.
The State where no ban
or partial ban exists, shall issue notifications banning
the sale of non-iodised salt
in their entire States.
3.
National Iodine
Deficiency Disorders Control Programme is
a multi-sectoral programme. All
agencies must make
concerted efforts in eradication
of Iodine Deficiency Disorders so
as to achieve the
goal of virtual elimination of Iodine
Deficiency Disorders.
4.
It was agreed by all
that the iodine levels in iodised salt
prescribed in our country are totally
safe and do not cause any harm even if a
normal person consumes it.
5.
It should be ensured
that iodised salt is made available to
the public in one-kilogram polypacks, as the retention of iodine in iodised salt is better in poly
packs.
6.
Intially more
non-statutory samples of iodised salt need
to be drawn and manufacturers and traders (stockists/shopkeepers) to
be persuaded to store more quantities of good quality
iodised salt.
7.
Enforcement of the
Prevention of Food Adulteration
Act should not be rigid in so far as constituents of common salt are concerned.
8.
There is an urgent need
for improvement of the quality of common salt produced by the small-scale
salt manufacturers.
9.
A proper
control mechanism is to be
evolved at various levels for drawl and analysis of
iodised salt samples and seeding the feedback to Salt Department.
10.
Strict vigil should be
maintained at all road entry points
for checking infiltration if common salt in to the
State and diversion of industrial
salt to ediable market.
11.
Awareness campaign on
the beneficial effects of iodised salt should be stepped up.
12.
Use of Spot tests Kits to be promoted at all
levels for quick estimation of
iodine in iodised salt.
B. TRAINING
(i) Orientation Programme for Field Officers of
Salt Department
Salt
Department is having its Fields
officers numbering about 230
looking after the salt works in various salt
producing states. Six meetings of
Quality Control officers were organised
at production sources during 1999. The main purpose
of these meetings was to
educate and motivate them about the
role they have to play in
production and supply of quality iodised salt
by
the manufacturers. The
meetings also helped
to know the constraints faced by the executive
officers and the strategies to be adopted to overcome them.
(ii)
Laboratory Training
At regular intervals, the Salt Department organises training
courses, to field
officers and quality
control staff of iodisation plants,
in the analysis of common salt
and iodised salt.
III.
CURRENT STATUS OF SALT IODISATION
The
NIDDCP launched by
Government of India
envisages prevention and control
of IDD through iodisation of all edible salt
in the country by 2000. The preset global goal
is 2005. Following is the status of the program in the country
in so far as supply of iodised salt to
the population is concerned.
A. BAN ON SALE OF NON-IODISED SALT FOR EDIBLE
USE
Following
continuous advocacy with state
Government as on date, out of 28 States and 7 UTs, 24
States and 7 UTs have issued notifications
under PFA Act, prohibiting
sale of
non iodised salt for
edible use. Two
states, viz. Andhara
Pradesh & Maharashtra have
issued partial ban
in 10 &
17 districts respectively. Gujarat
has withdrawn the
ban orders issued earlier. Kerala is against imposing
any ban.
B. PRODUCTION OF IODISED SALT
Common
salt is produced in the
states of Gujarat,
Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Orissa,Karnataka and West Bengal . Only Gujarat,
Tamil Nadu and
Rajasthan produce salt
surplus to their requirement of the entire country. The
average annual production is about
135 lakh tonnes. 30% of at
the production comes
from unoraganised sector
i.e.-salt works in less than 1 0 acres. The co-operative sector
contributes 10% of the
production, public sector 3% and private manufacturers produce
the rest.
The
requirement of salt for human edible consumption is 50
lakh tonnes; industrial purpose is 60 lakh tonnes and exports 10 lakh tonnes. The
iodising chemical, potassium
iodate is also indigenously produced and the
present capacity is sufficient to iodise the entire edible salt in the country.
At present 926 iodisation plants and refineries
set uyp by salt producers and traders are registered with Salt
Commissioner for production of iodised
salt. The total installed capacity of these units is 139 lakh tonnes, which is more than
adequate to iodise the the
entire edible salt in the country.
The production of iodized
salt has reached 46.89 lakh
tonnes during 2000
making India the second largest
producer of iodised salt in the world after
China. Out of this 12.29 lakh tonnes are produced by
salt refineries including 3.69
lakh tonnes of "vacuum"
iodised salt produced by
M/s. Tata Chemicals Ltd. and 0.33
lakh tonnes of vacuum
iodised salt produced
by M/s. Nirma
Ltd. Remaining quantity is produced by small and medium salt
manufacturers and traders.
|
STATE |
NUMBER OF IODISATION PLANTS |
CAPACITY (lakh tonnes per annum) |
|
Gujarat |
342 |
73.88 |
|
Rajasthan |
298 |
34.07 |
|
Tamil Nadu |
135 |
18.24 |
|
Other States |
151 |
13.02 |
|
Total |
926 |
139.21 |
C.
DISTRIBUTION OF IODISED SALT
Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu and Rajasthan are
surplus salt producing States and they meet the requirement of other States. Within the
Salt producing states salt is invariably
transported by trucks. However road
transport is not economical beyond 500kms. Hence it has to be transported by
rail. Nearly 65% of the edible salt is transported by rail. All the North
Eastern States, West Bengal and Bihar get their requirement by rail.
In order to facilitate speedy distribution of
edible salt to all parts of
the country, salt Department in
consultation with Railways has formulated a Zonal Scheme linking the
production sources to the nearest
consuming centers to prevent
criss-cross movement and long haulage. Such an arrangement not only ensures availability of this essential commodity throughout the
year in all parts of the country but
also helps in making it available at
reasonable prices to the consumers.
D.
PRICES
Salt is
made available throughout
the country at
affordable prices and no scarcity is reported from any State. 75% of the
iodised salt production is contribution by small and medium salt manufactures which is sold at Rs.2-00 to 2.50 per kg in
loose and 2-50 to 4-50 per kg in
poly packs. Refined iodised salt is
sold at Rs 5-00 and above per kg. Only 25% of the iodised salt produced
in the country are of this
variety.
Powdered iodised salt
in polypaks is available at
Rs.0.80 to Rs.1.00 per kg at production centers.
E.
QUALITY MONITORING
The quality
of iodised salt is monitored at two levels,
at production source by the
factors Officers and Iodised
salt Manufacturers and at the beneficiary level by the Food Inspectors and Pei
peripheral Health workers of
the State Governments. Iodised salt manufacturers
should establish a laboratory to check iodine content in salt as per the
conditions of permission granted by Salt Commissioner. salt Department has also
set up 26 salt Test Laboratories at production sources to monitor the quality
of salt. Besides 8 mobile labs are also deployed for on
the spot assessment of quality
and for conducting surprise checks at
salt loading and some of the
unloading points.
P.F.A
SPECIFICATIONS OF IODISED SALT
|
S.No. |
CHARECTERISTICS |
REQUIREMENT |
|
1 |
Moisture,
percent by wt. Max. |
6.0 |
|
2 |
Sodium
chloride, percent by wt. Min. |
96.0 |
|
3 |
Matter
insoluble, percent by wt. Max. |
1.0 |
|
4 |
Matter
insoluble in water other than Sodium chloride,
percent by wt. Max. |
3.0 |
|
5. |
Iodine
at: (a)
Manufacturer’s level ppm min. (b)
Distribution channel including retail level, ppm min. |
30 15 |
During 2000,
84, 957 samples were analyzed in
salt department laboratories, out of
which 51,722 (61%) samples were
found to contain minimum
30 ppm iodine. As per the quality
monitoring reports received from 13 States during 2000 out of
the 5,231 iodised salt samples
analysed at consuming end 4,293 sample (82%) were found conforming to prescribed standards.
177850 samples were tested by Spot
testing kit, out of which 162301 samples (91%) were found to contain minimum
15ppm iodine.
IV
EVALUATION OF UNIVERSAL SALT IODISATION
A.
EXTERNAL EVALUATION
The Canadian International Development Agency (
CIDA) has been supporting the IDD
elimination program in many countries of
Asia including India. At the instance of CIDA, a mission visited India during
1996 to review the progress to wards the goal of USI. The Mission concluded that
·
Spectacular progress has
been made by India in moving to wards
USI.
·
Salt Department has been
successful in ensuring supply of good
quality iodised salt
and active in enlisting the support
of manufacturers & traders.
It also commended India
for offering to the world
two programmatic technologies: iodising machinery and spot test kit, in
the course of its progress towards unversalisation of edible salt.
The Mission
cautioned that the story of Kangra
should not be repeated
where once the IDD appeared
to have
been completely controlled, people
became complacent until
it was suddenly realised that the goiter was
reappearing. Investigation revealed that
non-iodised salt was sold in the market.
A.
INTERNAL EVALUATION
Indian
Institute of Health Management Research , Jaipur, carried out
a detailed evaluation of status
of salt iodisation in the country in 1997-98 in eight States across
the country , including the three salt
surplus States of Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu and Rajasthan. The salient
findings of the study were as follows:
·
Sufficient iodisation
capacity has been
created by Salt Department to iodise entire edible salt
in the country.
·
A significant proportion
of households (91.6% in urban and 8.1% in rural areas ) in the country were
consuming iodised salt.
·
70% people(78% in urban and 63% in rural areas)
were consuming iodised salt with iodine
content of 15ppm and above.
·
The legal measures
adopted in the form of banning the sale
of non-iodised salt for human consumption are paying rich dividends in
terms of increasing production as well as
consumption of iodised salt
·
Production of iodised
salt has reached levels of sustainability.
·
Nearly 62% households
prefer powdered iodised salt packed in polythene
bags with little variation
between rural and
urban consumers.
·
On an average each household purchases 2.1 kg of
iodised salt per month, paying an
average price of Rs.4.20 per kg.
B.
1998-99 NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY (NFHS-2)
This
survey conducted in 25 States of the country revealed that-
·
70% of populaltion
across the country are consumption
iodised salt and 49% are consuming adequately iodised salt
·
Consumption
ofiodised salt is more in urban areas (81-85%)
and less in rural areas (67%).
·
It is directly ralted to standard of living-high-83%, middle 71% and low 64%.
·
Consumption is low in
Southern states and high in North-Eastern States.
V.
TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE GOAL OF UNIVERSAL SALT IODISATION
A.
PRESENT CONSTRAINTS
Having created
adequate iodisation capacity
and achieved sustainable levels of production and supply the
constraints in iodised salt
to the entire population especially in
the rural areas is mainly due to
the following constraints:
·
Inadequate awareness on
IDD and benefits of iodised salt. -Difficulty in monitoring the quality of salt moved by road.
·
Infiltration of common salt intended for industrial use
and cattle use in edible market.
·
Withdrawal of
ban orders by Gujarat, partial
ban in Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra and no ban
in Kerala . Weak enoforcement of ban orders in Kerala.
·
Weak enforcementof ban
orders by other states.
·
Adverse publicity and
anti-iodised salt lobby.
B.
FUTURE STRATEGY
Keeping the
above constraints in view
future strategy should focus on demand generation through
awareness creation especially in the rural and tribal areas, At teh same time
measures should be taken to sustain the
progress made so far by
·
reiterating the
commitment made at World Summit for Cheldren
in 1990 and SAARC Conference on Children,
·
continuous monitoring of
quality of iodised salt at production
and consumption level,and
·
diluting the stringent provisions of PFA Act in
respect of iodised salt.
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
IDD Prevalence
Survey carried out in 2 districts of
the U.T. revealed both the districts to be endemic to goiter.
Status of Ban Notification
The administration of U.T. of
Andaman & Nicobar Islands banned the sale of slat other than iodised salt
for edible purpose in the interest of public health with effect from 13.4.1993.
IDD Cell
The requirement of iodised salt for
edible purpose of the UT is estimated to be 2010 tonnes. The requirement is
mainly met from Tamil Nadu by Sea. Registered supply of Iodised salt to Andaman
& Nicobar Isles during the last 3 years were as under:
‘000 tonnes
1998 1999 2000
0.8 0.9 0.6
Substantial quantity of salt is also
received from Chennai port which is not reflected in official records.
Monitoring Information System
The UT has set up quality monitoring
information system. Regular feed back on the quality of iodised salt is being received from the UT
administration. The number of samples analysed & found standard during the
last 3 years were as under:
Year Samples Found
Standard % Standard
Analysed
1998 141 137 97
1999 6 6 100
2000 28 28 100
Actions Suggested to
Strengthen USI
·
Regular quantity and quality
monitoring of iodised salt supplied to the Isles .
·
Supply of all iodised
salt in ½ 1 kg packets.
·
Step up IEC through mass
media.
Survey conducted in 10 out of the 23 districts to be endemic to IDD,
with goiter prevalence rates ranging from 9.2 to 64.4%.
The State Govt. has issued a
notification banning sale of salt other than iodised salt in the entire State
vide GO Ms No. 290 dated 6.6.94 which was to come into force from 1.1.1995.
However, the ban order was withdrawn following filing of Writ Petitions by a
section of manufacturers, traders etc. Subsequently, vide notification No. 117
dated 24.4.95. sale of non-iodised salt was prohibited in 7 districts Viz.
Srikakulam, Vizayanagarm, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Khammam, and Adilabad.
An IDD Cell was established in the Directorate of health Services in
1987 to monitor the progress. Subsequently, during 1994, district & State
level Committees were constituted for periodical monitoring of supply &
quality of iodised salt.
Andhra Pradesh is the 4th largest salt producing State in
the country, with an average annual production of about 2.6 lakh tones. However
this is not sufficiently to meet the edible requirement of salt which is
estimated to be 4.44 lakh tones per annum. The remaining requirement of the
State for edible & industrial uses is mainly met from Tamil Nadu. Linkage
for movement of salt has been provided to the State in the Zonal Scheme from
Gujarat and Chennai zones as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone No.
of Rakes Quantity Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By
Rail By Road
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chennai 30 69.600 337.021
406.621
Gujarat 15 34.800 - 34.800
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 45 104.00 337.021
441.421
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Iodised salt supply to the State during the last 3 years was as under:
‘000 tonnes
1998 1999 2000
97.9 99.2 110.9
75 salt iodisation
plants with an installed capacity of 7.55 lakh tones including one salt
refinery have been established in the State. The production of iodised salt was
only about 12000 tonnes during 2000.
Salt Department with the financial
assistance of UNICEF has donated 12 salt iodisation plants to the Small Salt
Producers Association & Cooperative Societies in the State along with
Potassium Iodate to enable them to iodise their produce.
In order to create awareness among the
public and to increase the supply of iodised salt in the State salt Department
in collaboration with All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has
instituted a study through the net work of medical colleges.
To monitor the quality of iodised salt at production sources Salt
Department has establish three laboratories at Chinnaganjam, Kakinada, and
Naupada. The details of samples analysed during the last three years as follows:
Year Samples Found %
analysed Standard Standard
1998 604 536 88.7
1999 541 407 76.2
2000 285 282 98.2
Actions Suggested to Strengthen USI.
All the 10 districts of the State were surveyed and found to be endemic
to goiter with a total goiter prevalence rate of 38%.
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh vide their order No. 4/169/72,
dates 26th October 1976, prohibited the sale salt other than iodised
salt as an articles of food for human consumption with effect from 1st
December, 1976.
Estiblished in the Directorate of Health Services in 1987.
The annual requirement of salt for edible purposes is estimated at 6190
tonnes, which includes the requirements of livestock. Taking into consideration
the remoteness of its location from the slat producing States, a buffer stock
is needed to be maintained Accordingly, an allocation of 11,600 tonnes is
provided in the zonal scheme for rail movement.
The entire requirement of iodised
salt is met from the production sources of Gujarat. As there is no rail-head in
the State, salt is unloaded at North Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh/Dikom salt unloading
stations in Assam and further transported by road to different places in the
State.
The Food & Civil Supplies
Department appoints dealers/nominees in the State, allotting them rakes for
procurement of iodised salt. The actual supply made to the State during 1999
& 2000 is 4.7 & 4.5 thousand tones respectively.
After the procurement of salt by the
State nominees, the districts nominees lift their quota fixed by Deputy
Commissioners and the salt reaches the consumers through the Fair Price Shops.
In inaccessible places, the salt is air dropped. The consumers in Urban areas
prefer iodised salt in 1 kg. Poly packs and loose salt is preferred in rural
areas.
The State Government of Arunachal
Pradesh has introduced sale of iodised salt through Public Distribution System.
The price fixed for 1 kg. Iodised salt in poly packs is rs. 2.60..
Formal (PFA) & informal monitoring system in iperation. During
2000, 5,759 iodised salt samples were tested by Spot Test Kit, out of which 5508
(96%) were found standard.
All the 18 districts of the State were surveyed and found to be endemic
to IDD. Golpara districts has the highest prevalence of 40.2%.
Government of Assam has banned the sale and storage of non-iodised salt
for edible purpose through out the State with effect from 16th March
1989, vide their Notification No. HSG/57/86/2314-2404, dated Gawahati 16th
March 1989.
Established in the Directorate of Health Services in 1991
Two salt iodisation
plants with a capacity of 56,200 tonnes are established in the State, at
Dhbrugarh and Silchar with a capacity of 48,000 and 8,200 tonnes respectively.
The production of iodised salt by these plants is as under:
(tones)
1998 1999 2000
8200 10700 13500
The annual requirement of iodised salt for the State is estimated to be
1.6 lakh tones, including the requirement of buffer stock. The state is allocated 2.78 lakh tones in the zonal
scheme.
The entire requirement of iodised
salt and common salt for iodisation is procured from Gujarat by rail to the
approved salt unloading stations viz. New Gawahati, Silchar, Tinsukhia, New
Bongaigon, Haibargaon, North Lakhimpur, Karimganj, Tejpur, Barpeta.
About 100 nominees are appointed by
the State food and Civil Supplies Department, for bringing salt into the State
out of the total 800 licence holders selected on the basis of past performance,
financial stability, existence of godown facitlities etc. The actual supply of
iodised salt to the State during 1999 & 2000 was 2.13 and 1.92 lakh tones
respectively.
As per the standing instructions of
the Government of Assam, 40% of the iodised salt procured by the nominees has
to be placed at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners for distribution through
Public Distribution System network. 50% of the stock is allowed for free sale
and the remaining 10% is kept as rolling stock. The State Government has also
directed the nominees to procure certain percentage of iodised salt in 1 kg
retail packs.
The Food & Civil Supplies
Department fixes the price of loose/crushed salt and 1 Kg packet salt on annual
basis . The prevailing retail price of loose/crushed iodised salt and 1 Kg.
Pack is Rs. 2.00 & 3.00 respectively.
Non-statutory samples are lifted by Health Workers and tested, using
spot test kit. During 2000, 34371 iodised salt samples were tested, out of which
28,660 (83%) samples were found standard.
Test certain percentage of
samples by iodometric method.
Supply of all
edible salt in ½ 1 kg. Poly packs.
Timely lifting
of quarterly quota to prevent artificial scarcity of this essential commodity.
Resurvey to
assess impact of iodised salt in reducing goiter prevalence rates.
Survey conducted by State/central teams from 1960 to 1987 in 22 out of
the 55 districts of the State revealed
21 districts to be endemic to goiter i.e., the goiter prevalence rate was above
10%.
Government of Bihar has initially banned sale of non Iodised Salt in
the two endemic districts of East & West champaran in october 1976. As surveys
conducted in other districts also revealed goiter endemicity, the entire State
was brought under the purview of ban orders with effect from 1.4.88.
An IDD Cell is established in the State Health Directorate.
The annual requirement of salt for
edible purpose is estimated to be 6.18 lakh tones (Bihar – 4.48 & Jharkhand
–1.70 lakh tones). The zone-wise allocation in as under
(Quantity in ‘000 tones)
Quantity Quantity
Gujarat 147 341.0 - 341.0
Chennai 1 2.3 - 2.3
Total 233 540.5 - 540.5
(Quantity in ‘000 tones)
Quantity Quantity
Gujarat 75 174.0 - 174.0
Chennai 1 2.3 - 2.3
Total 116 269.1 - 269.1
The supply of
salt for edible use during the last three years was as follows:
(‘000 tonnes)
1998 1999 2000
564.6 640.4 671.0
There is no administered price
mechanism for salt. It is also not included Public Distribution System.
A situation analysis conducted by All India of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS). New Delhi & salt Department in five districts of Bihar during 1997
(East & West Champaran, Munger, Muzaffarpur & Vaishali) revealed that
71.5% samples tested had required iodine level (>= 15 ppm) at beneficiary
level. Urinary Iodine Excretion (UIE) was > 10 macro /dl. In over 50% of the
subjects studied in East & West Champaran districts indicating that there
is no bio-chemical iodine deficiency in the subjects studed. Goiter Prevalence
Rate (GPR) was 15 & 11% in East & West Champaran/districts
respectively. This is much less compared to the earlier reports of 40% (1964),
64 & 57% (1970) & 67% (1982), confirming the impacts of iodised salt in
reducing GPR.
Monitoring Information System (MIS)
Health Authorities under the provisions of the PFA . Acts are monitoring
the quality of salt. During the last three years the number of salt samples
lifted and their results are as follows:
Year Samples Found %
Analysed
Standard Standard
1998 81 75 93
1999 39 32 94
2000 55 53 95
Initial survey conducted in the UT in 1969 revealed a goiter prevalence
rate (GPR) of 11.2% . Resurveys in 1977, 1987 showed a GPR of 45.9%, 23.7% and 11.8% respectively.
All the surveys were done by Central teams (DGHS). It is clear from the last
survey that Chandigarh still continues to be endemic as far as IDD is
concerned.
The UT administration banned sale of non Iodised Salt for edible use with
effect from 26.2.76.
It is established under Medical
Officer (Health) in the Directorate of Health Services (DHS).
The UT of Chandigargh requires about
4600 tonnes of edible salt annually. Much of it is moved by road from Rajasthan
& Delhi. Iodised Salt is not a PDS item.
The actual supply of iodised salt
during the last three years was as follows:
(‘000 tonnes)
1998 1999 2000
15.8 14.5 27.4
Monitoring Information System (MIS)
During 2000 out of 25 iodised salt samples tested 23 samples (92%) were
found standard.
Actions Suggested to Strengthen USI:
·
Introduction
of MIS on availability, price & quality of iodised salt.
Survey carried out in the Union Territory showed a total rate of 29%.
The U.T. Administration banned, the sale of salt other than iodised
salt as a an article of food with in their Union Territoruy with effect from
22.12.88.
IDD Cell has been set up in the U.T.
The annual requirement of Salt for the UT is 992 tonnes. It is supplied
by adjoining Gujarat. As per the records of Salt department, no iodised salt
has been supplied to the UT. Since no scarcity is reported it is presumed that
the requirement of salt is met by costal shipment from Gujarat which is not
monitored or accounted by any agency.
Actions
Suggested to Strengthen USI
DAMAN & DIU (U.T)
Survey carried out in the Union
Territory showed a total goiter rate of 12.24%.
The U.T has prohibited sale of salt
other than iodised salt as an article of food with effect from 03.06.1991.
IDD Cell has been set up in the U.T.
The annual iodised salt requirement of the UT is 727 tonnes. Daman
& Diu produces more salt than its requirements. However, it is supplied for
edible purpose without iodisation. As per official records 100 tonnes of iodised salt has been supplied
to the UT during 2000.
Survey conducted in the N.C.T. of Delhi in 1981 among school children
revealed a goiter prevalence of 20.3%.
Sale of non Iodised Salt is banned in the State with effect from
1.6.89.
IDD cell is established in the Health Directorate.
The State requires abouts 67,455 tonnes of Iodised Salt annually for
edible use. Against this, the actual supply was:
(‘000 tonnes)
1998 1999 2000
201.7 217.8 189.2
Delhi being an important salt
trading center, it supplies salt to
other Northern States viz. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Chandigarh & Jammu & Kashmir. Taking care of this additional
requirement, ahigher procision (2.14 lakh tones) has been made in the Zonal
Scheme for movement of salt by rail during the year 2000-02.
Free trade prevails. It is not a PDS
item. However, Govt, of Delhi has initiated supply of iodised salt under PDS
through Delhi Civil Goiter Corporation @Rs. 3.50 per Kg. Refined free flow
iodised salt.
A survey on implementaion of NIDDCP in Delhi conducted by All India
Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) during 1996 revealed that-
i.
quality of iodised salt is
poor i.e. only 63% of powered iodised salt samples tested at consumer level had
required iodine(>= 15 ppm).
ii.
7% of the population is
consuming crystal salt and only 9% of the crystal iodised salt had adequate
iodine as against 63% of powered iodised salt.
iii.
Storage of salt at
wholesalers & rail unloading site was unsatisfactory.
iv.
Awareness about iodised salt
is low at consumer & retail level.
v.
In rural areas salt with
less than adequate level (155 ppm) is sold by traders.
vi.
Food & Civil Supplies
Department did not manintain adequate records of quantity of salt entering
Delhi by road/rail, as salt is a free trade commodity.
Assessment of
IDD in NCT of Delhi among children of 8-10 years of age was done by a research
team from AIIMS in 1995. They found that the total goiter rate came down to
8.6%. The median Urinary Iodine Excretion (UIE) was also found to be 17 micro
gram/dl indicating that there is no bio-chemical iodine deficiency in the
Subjects studied.
In another survey conducted by Salt Department Officials in 1996 it was
observed that Delhi being a major trading center for salt catering all Northern
States, large number of units are engaged in crushing & packing salt. No
agency is checking/monitoring the activities of these units. As a result, much
of the Iodised Salt sold by them is of inferior quality.
Survey conducted during 1986 in the State revealed an icidence of
30-49.6% in Marmugao, Bicholin, Sanguem and Ponda Blocks. The oveall prevalence
rate was 27.5%. Resurvey during 1993 revealed that the incidence has gone up to
35%.
The Government of Goa has issued notification prohibiting sale of salt
other than iodised salt in the entire State with effect from 15th
August, 1997.
The annual iodised salt requirement of the State us 8.37 thousand
tones. There are more than 100 small salt manufacturing units in Goa producing
about 2000 tonnes of salt annually. These salt works are scattered, posing problem
for iodisation of their produce. The local production partially meets the
requirements. The balance is met from Gujarat by road.
The supply of iodised salt during
the last 3 years was about 1400 tonnes per annum as per Salt Department
records. Since no scarcity of salt is reported from the State, the balance
quantity is presumably moving by road from local production sources and also
from Maharashtra. As this movement is not monitored by any agency, it is not
reflected in official records.
The State Governmentpropose to
create awareness among the people about iodised salt through display of
placards/hoarding, appealing to the people to use iodised salt.
Survey conducted in 16 districts
revealed 8 to be endemic with a goiter prevalence of over 10%.
The Govt. of Gujarat has rescinded the earlier notification banning the
sale of non-iodised salt for edible use in the entire State with effect from
17.01.2001.
IDD Cell has been set up in the Directorate of Health Services.
As a major salt
producing State contributing over 70% of the total salt productin in the
country, Gujarat plays a key role in implementation of NIDDCP. As on
31.12.2000, 342 salt iodisation plants are established in the State with a
total installed capacity of 73.88 lakh tonnes per annum. The actual production
of iodised salt is about 28 lakh tonnes per annum. Gujarat caters to the
iodised salt requirement of Northeastern States, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Rajasthan, Delhi Jammu and Kashmir
& Orissa, besides meeting its own requirement.
The annual requirement of iodised
salt for the State is 2.96 Lakh tonnes. The entire requirement of the State is
supplied only by road from its sources.
The State Government proposes to
create awareness among the people about iodised salt through display of
placards.hoarding, appealing to the people to use iodised salt.
Survey conducted in 16 districts revealed
8 to be endemic with a goiter prevalence of over 10%.
The Govt. of Gujarat has rescinded the earlier notification banning the
sale of non-iodised salt for edible use in the entire State with effect from
17.01.2001.
IDD Cell has been set up in the Directorate of Health Services.
As a major salt
producing State contributing over 70% of the total salt productin in the
country, Gujarat plays a key role in implementation of NIDDCP. As on
31.12.2000, 342 salt iodisation plants are established in the State with a
total installed capacity of 73.88 lakh tonnes per annum. The actual production
of iodised salt is about 28 lakh tonnes per annum. Gujarat caters to the
iodised salt requirement of Northeastern States, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Rajasthan, Delhi Jammu and Kashmir
& Orissa, besides meeting its own requirement.
The annual requirement of iodised salt
for the State is 2.96 Lakh tonnes. The entire requirement of the State is
supplied only by road from its sources.
Despite contributing nearly 70% of
the total iodised salt production in the country, the actual supply of iodised
salt within the State is only 69% of its total requirement of 2.96 lakh tonnes.
This is mainly due to lack of monitoring over salt moved by road and diversion
of industrial salt for edible use.
Gujarat State Civil Supplies
Corporation Ltd. (GSCSC) supply iodised salt in ITDP areas of 11 districts @
rs. 0.50 per Kg to all card holders at 2 kg per cardholder per month. GSCSC
procures iodised salt from the market @ Rs. 1-30 per kg. 1450916 card holders
are covered by this scheme. While the actual requirement of all card holders works
out to 2900 tonnes per month, the actual supply is less than 1000 tonnes per
month.