Fortification of Salt – Past, Present and Future

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) form the major micronutrient deficiencies of public health significance in India; several surveys have indicated that no state in the country is free from IDD and nearly two-thirds of children, women of reproductive age, and adolescent girls across the country are estimated to be suffering from IDA . The control of micronutrient deficiencies by food fortification is one of the most significant developments in recent years. Probably no other technology available today offers such a wide scope to improve the health and nutritional status of people in the most cost-effective way . Clearly salt isn‟t just another rock, but the rock of life. Next to water, salt is consumed by all sections of a community irrespective of economic level; it is consumed at approximately the same level throughout the year in a given region by all normal populations; it has very little likelihood of overdosing; production of salt is limited to few centers; salt is an ideal vehicle for micronutrient fortification and micronutrients like iodine and iron introduced through salt will be ingested by each individual at a uniform dosage throughout the year.