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Future table salt to be sprinkled with less iodine

By Shan Juan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-14 09:04

The iodine level in table salt will be decreased, said the Ministry of Health.

According to the ministry, nearly 31 million people scattered across six provinces and areas including Shandong, Hebei, and Jiangsu, had abnormal levels of the chemical element.

However, the latest reports from the ministry showed that the level of iodine was normal for the majority of the nation's population.

"It's the fourth time that China has adjusted the iodine level in table salt since a national compulsory iodization of salt began in 1995 to improve public health," said Li Quanle, director of the endemic control department under MOH.

He declined to give the exact date when people will be able to buy the new salt on the market, which experts say might be in late 2010.

Related readings:  Iodine-free salt to be available by next year  Salt remains main culprit in hypertension  China denies rumors of salt shortages, price hikes

"The salt sold now is still safe for the people," he told China Daily Thursday.

Early independent reports stated that too much iodine over a long period leads to hyperthyroid-related diseases, particularly in iodine-rich regions such as the coastal provinces. Seafood, for example, is rich in iodine.

MOH denounced the allegation in the reports, citing multiple causes for such illnesses such as pollution, pressure and changing lifestyles. The ministry said there was a lack of scientific evidence to link iodine with hypothyroid-related diseases.

As of October 2008, more than 91 percent of the entire population in iodine-rich areas could only get common iodine-less salt at local markets, Li said.

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