Israel plans to mandate iodine fortification of table salt — Jerusalem Post
Israel’s Ministry of Health is advancing new rules that would require the iodine fortification of table salt sold for household use. The decision is linked to widespread iodine deficiency among the population: it was identified in approximately 60% of the children examined and 85% of the pregnant women examined, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Which salt will be fortified
The requirement is expected to apply to packaged table salt for household use. According to the ministry’s estimate, such salt accounts for 85% to 90% of household salt purchases in the country. Salt used by the food industry, as well as coarse salt and specialized types of salt, will not be covered by the new rules.
The plan calls for adding 30 milligrams of iodine per kilogram of salt. The ministry calculated that this would add around 45 micrograms of iodine to a person’s daily diet — approximately 30% of the reference daily intake. This level was described as conservative; after the measure is introduced, the agency is to monitor iodine levels among the population and adjust the dosage if necessary.
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The deficiency has persisted for years
A 2016 survey involving more than a thousand school-age children and around a thousand pregnant women from different regions and population groups in Israel had already recorded similar deficiency rates. Data from the National Biomonitoring Program for 2020 and 2021 also showed no significant improvement, the ministry said.
The ministry cited the widespread use of desalinated water, in which the concentration of this element is very low, as one possible factor behind low iodine intake. The ministry lists eggs, seaweed, dairy products and sea fish among natural sources of iodine. Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, which affect growth, development and metabolism.
The ministry stressed that salt fortification does not mean a recommendation to increase salt consumption. According to its data, only around 15% of daily salt intake comes from salt added at home, while most is contained in processed and industrially manufactured products. Iodized salt is advised to be stored in a tightly closed container in a dry place, as iodine may be lost through moisture or improper packaging.
