DOH, NNC push iodized salt use to counter iodine deficiency disorders
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — “More than just a condiment, salt should contain iodine as part of its nutritional value,” said Doctor Niño Archie S. Labordo, regional program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga, during the 1st quarter meeting of the Caraga Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) on March 3.
Furthermore, Labordo stressed the importance of adequate iodine, especially for pregnant and lactating women. According to him, sufficient iodine in a pregnant woman’s diet will not only be beneficial for her thyroid health but also to the brain development of the infant.
“Adequate iodine ensures proper development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. Deficiency can lead to impaired cognitive function and developmental delays. As such, the Caraga RBATF’s role in advocating for adequate iodine consumption through the use of iodized salt is very crucial,” added Labordo.
The Caraga Regional Nutrition Council (RNC) Resolution No. 4, series of 2021 which created the Caraga RBATF as the regional counterpart of the technical working group of the National Salt Iodization Program (TWG-NSIP), was anchored on Republic Act No. 8172, otherwise known as the ‘ASIN Law’ of 1995 which called for the imposition of iodine content in salt to curb iodine deficiency disorders—a major public health concern in the country.
Based on the last report on the iodine nutrition situation in the Philippines in 2023, for the vulnerable sectors, the range of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) for school-aged children should be between 100 and 299 to be considered adequate in iodine nutrition. As for pregnant women, their UIC should not fall below 100, while pregnant women are required to have 150-249 UIC, sufficient for the mother and infant’s iodine requirement.
During Caraga RBATF’s meeting, the concern pertaining to the unavailability of iodized salt producers in the region was mentioned, raising concerns of insufficiency of iodized salt supply and logistical challenges.
“We acknowledge this relevant concern of the body. Since this is an issue that needs tedious coordination with both public and private stakeholders, what we can do now is to strengthen our advocacy even more,” shared Michelle Mae L. Amamio, nutritionist-dietitian IV of the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga, on behalf of the Caraga RBATF chairperson.
Amamio is committed to working with NNC Caraga to conduct an orientation within the year for nutrition and health workers across the five provinces of the region to further reinforce their knowledge on the importance of adequate iodine in nutrition. The orientation will also involve the different barangay, city, municipal, and provincial nutrition action offices to improve and strengthen the monitoring of iodine and iodized salt use in households within their jurisdiction. (NJGD, PIA Caraga with a report from NNC Caraga)