JAGRITI VOL. III, ISSUE 34 DECEMBER 2005
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- Title
- JAGRITI VOL. III, ISSUE 34 DECEMBER 2005
- extracted text
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■■
IN THIS ISSUE
• WHO Regional
Meeting
• Bangladesh
* Maldives
* Global IDD day
in India
..
u
-
Bond with iodised salt: Moore
ir Roger Moore, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, was in India
S
from November 14,2005 to November 18,2005 to highlight
♦ Script writer’s workshop to be coordinated by Mr. Mahesh Bhatt.
* Advocacy by the Film people.
the importqnce of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) as a vehicle to
actively
eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) in the country and he
The
called for the urgent need to accelerate progress toward
communication campaign to promote USI. It was a felt need
achieving the goal of Universal Salt Iodization. Accompanied by
during the brain storming session that celebrities can prove to be
his wife Lady Kristina, Sir Roger Moore visited Delhi, Jaipur and
an effective tool for the communication campaign. They agreed to
Mumbai and interacted with key decision makers and heads of
travel to Delhi, Gujarat, Tamilnadu & Rajasthan and have
governments as well as with Bollywood celebrities.
personal meetings with People's Representatives, Political Party
Office bearers, Policy Makers, Producers of Salt & Iodised Salt
Sir Roger Moore later visited Mumbai to drive home the message
of USI. In a press conference held there on 18th November, he
*
shared with the media, key points of his discussions with
Ms. Vandana Krishna, Secretary, Department of Women and
Children Development, Mr Ramani, Director General, State
Mission for Health and Nutrition, and Mr. Mukesh Sharma,
Director Doordarshan, to discuss ways to spread awareness about
the dangers of consuming non-iodised salt.
"Salt Iodisation or the lack of it contains nothing of the drama,
the visuals, of an epidemic like SARS, Avian flu, even HIV/AIDS. As
such, it doesn't have an international movement or agency
dedicated to keeping it at the top of policy and investment
agenda. It is what we call at UNICEF a 'silent emergency'", said Sir
Roger speaking on the occasion. In order to make realise the
gravity of IDD, he held a brainstorming session with celebrities
including, Mahesh Bhatt, Gulshan Grover, Irfan Khan, Soni
Razdan, Vinta Nanda, Deepal Shaw, and asked them to play a key
role in spreading the message of USI.
He also suggested frequent interactions between the government
and salt producers to increase production of iodised salt. The
following things were agreed during various meetings with the
UNICEF Good Will Ambassador Sir Roger Moore and the
celebrities
agreed
to
He came armed with this simple message Io a city hotel on Friday afternoon. The subject
of conversation could have paled in his glamorous presence, except thol Sir Roger was
rather earnest in his plea to ensure that the Indian government enforces a proposed ban on
non-iodised salt. A comprehensive presentation on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) was
earlier delivered by Dr. C. S. Pandov of AllMS, Nev/ Delhi, so when it was Sir Roger’s turn to
speak, he rued that he did not have much left Io say. But a point he did make was that half
of the 26 million children born every year in India are exposed to IDD, which can result in
serious diseases like goitre and mental retardation apart from lowered productivity.
A couple of times at least, Sir Roger’s prized British sense of humour came to his rescue as
his wife Lady Kristina pulled at his sleeve to remind him of a few statistics he should be
quoting. He had sat down, but rose dutifully to make these points.
the
Iodisation (USI).
It was agreed upon at the brainstorming meeting with the UNICEF
Ambassador and the Film celebrities that a documentary film
promoting USI would be made along the backdrop of Indian
settings in which the character James Bond would feature with
participation of film personalities from India. This will prove to be
an effective tool forthe communication campaign of USI.
Information Communication & Education (IEC).
It was decided that IEC material would be developed by UNICEF
and ICCIDD to be given to Mr. Mahesh Bhatt and Mr. Ramani,
Director General, State Mission for Health and Nutrition and
other stake holders. They would in turn spread these IEC materials
for widespread distribution which would help in large scale
dissemination of the message of USI.
As a part of UNICEF's campaign to end IDD in India, Sir Roger
Moore advocated the formation of state alliances to oversee
the implementation of USI across the country and to layout
a comprehensive communication effort to educate
vulnerable groups about the dangers doomed with consuming
non-iodised salt.
Times City - Saturday, November 19, 2005
Bond with iodised salt: Moore
press meets about the benefits of iodised salt.
in
Film with James Bond on promotion of Universal Salt
Bollywood celebrities:
Bond was here. James Bond, Sir Roger Moore shuttled from one Indian city to another
over the last few days despite being unwell, and being almost 80 years old didn't help
matter. The icon who made movies like Octopussy, Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved
Me and For Your Eyes Only, was here at the invitation of UNICEF to address a series of
participate
An hour or so before the press meet, the couple
was at work, enlisting the support of Maharashtra
government officials, as well as Hindi film
personalities like Mahesh Bhatt, Gulshan Grover
and Irrfan to secure their support for iodised salt.
His new friends from the film world later
accompanied him to the event.
Sir Roger has travelled the world since he
became goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in
1991 after being prompted into service by close
friend, actress Audrey Hepburn.
His sincerity seemed to have paid off this lime
too, for not a single question deviated from the
subject he was there to advocate.
HT
antfr ht
ICCIDD Vision & Mission
wr
From the unreal lead me to the real;
From darkness lead me to light;
From death lead me to immortality.
Editorial Board
Dr Chandrakant S Pandav
Chief Editor
Dr. Arijit Chakrabarty
Managing Editor
Patrons:
Vision:The vision of ICCIDD is a world virtually free from Iodine
Deficiency Disorders with national endeavors to maintain optimal
iodine nutrition primarily through consumption of iodized salt,
which should be made easily available and affordable for all
people for all times.
Mission: The mission of ICCIDD is to provide a focused
advocacy to governments and development agencies, of a
continued priority for iodine nutrition, providing technical
expertise in a multidisciplinary approach.
Dedication: ICCIDD dedicates itself to programs fully supported
at the national level for permanent, sustained success and will
work with all partnersand national entities towards that end.
Shri Mohan Dharia
Chief Patron
! Dr Kolyan Bagchi
; Patron
' Shri R V Pillai, IAS (retd.)
■ Pairon
Editorial
Dear Colleagues,
The first meeting of the Regional Working Group for the IDD
Editorial Advisers:
Elimination was held in WHO/SEARO on 28 & 29 September 2005.
I Dr Prabha Ramalingaswami
The main objective of the group is to review the country situation using
■ Shri L M Jain, IAS (retd.)
the ICCIDD/UNICEF/WHO recommended process indicators and
j Prof N K Ganguly
Prof M G Karmarkar
identify
critical
gaps/constraints that
retard
progress
towards
achieving USI and establish contact with the highest level in the
Shri S Sundaresan
political and bureaucratic hierarchy in each of the countries to enlist
I Adv. Makarand Adkar
their support to accelerate progress towards USI in the shortest
Shri Bejon Misra
possible time. Prof. Quazi Salamatullah was one of the participants.
None of us realised that this would be our last meeting with him.
Editorial Assistants:
Sudden demise of Prof. Quazi Salamatullah, National Coordinator,
Smt Saroja Narayanan
ICCIDD, Bangladesh is a great loss to entire scientific community, including ICCIDD. The area of
Shri Pritam Singh
iodine nutrition has suffered an irreparable loss. Prof. Salamatullah was our anchor in Bangladesh.
Shri Bharat Kataria
He undertook the daunting task of building the Iodine Monitoring Laboratory in Dhaka. In addition
to serving the requirements in Bangladesh, it also played an important role in the South Asian
Circulation
Region. He will be very much missed. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Shri Pritam Singh
Sir Roger Moore was in India for one week to talk to leaders and decision-makers about salt
Printed & Published by:
celebrities in Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood, to talk to producers and actors about ways in which
Dr C S Pandav
on behalf of ICCIDD
the entertainment industry could help promote salt iodization.
iodization as an issue of national concern. The former stellar James Bond has also been meeting
Contact Address:
Room No 28, CCM Building,
Old OT Block, All India Institute
of Medical Sciences, New Delhi110029 Tel: 011-26588522
E-mail: cpandav@iqplusin.org
It is important to remember that sustainability is the key component of the IDD elimination program.
There cannot be a place for complacency in this program of global interest. As we observe IDD day
in 21st October, together we can give a new definition to sustainability by effectively putting into
practice the policies and programs with an efficient delivery system aptly supported by national,
regional and global partnerships. This issue covers various covers activities carried out on Global
IDD Day in India.
Website: www.iqplusin.org
Designed & Printed at
Pathfinders, Lajpat Nagar
Ph.: 26295066
Dr. Chandrakant S. Pandav
Regional Coordinator, ICCIDD-South Asia Region.
National IDD and US! Survey in Bangladesh 2004 - 2005
Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are recognized as a major global
public health problem. The first ever IDD survey in Bangladesh
and evaluation of Universal Salt Iodization (USI) were conducted in
1993 and 1996 respectively with UNICEF assistance. The first
follow up national IDD survey and evaluation of USI both were
conducted in 1999, again with the support from UNICEF.
Both the IDD surveys were conducted zone-wise (hilly, flood-prone
and plain), surveyed children (5-11 yrs) and adults (15-44 yrs),
households from the same location of the initial survey. The
findings of these IDD surveys indicated that the prevalence of IDD
had substantially fallen since the first survey in 1993. The total
goitre rate (TGR) among the populations fell from 4 7.1 % to 17.8%,
cretinism 0.6% to 0.4% (only in children), and biochemical iodine
deficiency fell from 68.9% to 43.1% during this period. The third
IDD survey in children aged 6-12 years and women aged 15-44
years (adult males were not included
as per WHO
recommendations) was conducted during last half of 2004 and
first half of 2005. The survey followed a stratified multi-stage
cluster sampling design, which provided nationwide representative
data. Out of 160 clusters surveyed 123 clusters from rural areas
and 37 from urban areas were selected in the ratio of the rural to
urban population is 76:24 (Census 2001). From a total of 6400
households 6400 children and 6400 women were assessed for
giotre. A total of 2400 urine samples from children and 2400 urine
samples from women were collected for urinary iodine excretion
(UIE) measurement.
Trained physicians (M.B.B.S.) and technicians (minimum graduate)
collected the data from field under the supervision of members of
"Planning and Coordination Team". All urine samples were
analyzed by simple microplate method for urinary iodine
estimation according to Ohashi et al. in the ICCIDD lab at Institute
of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka.
The total goitre rate (TGR) among children was 6.2% and that
among women was 11.7% (almost double), Grade 1 (palpable)
goitre was higher than grade 2 goitre (visible), particularly among
the children (4.7% vs. 1.6%). Girls had a tendency of higher
prevalence (6.9%) than boys (5.6%), and urban children had
somewhat higher prevalence (7.6%) than their rural counterparts
(5.8%). In contrast to children, the prevalence of goitre among
urban women was lower (9.9%) than among the rural women
(12.3%). Again median UIE was higher in children (163 /l/g/L) than
in women (140 pg/L). Boys had UIE of 175 pg/L as compared to
149 pg/L in girls, and the UIE in children of urban areas was
229pg/L compared to 14 Ipg/L in rural areas. The UIE of urban
women was also much higher (230pg/L) than that of rural women
(123 pg/L). In line with UIE levels prevalence of biochemical iodine
deficiency (UIE < 100 pg/L) was higher in women (38.6%) than
among children (33.8%). In rural areas, girls and women suffered
iodine deficiency equally well to a higher extent (42-43%) than the
boys (34%). But in urban areas, here, boys, girls and women all
had iodine deficiency to the extent of 20-25%. The overall
prevalence of iodine deficiency was 33.8% and 38.6% among the
children and women respectively.
The present results indicate that IDD situation in the country has
improved compared to the situation found in 1993 and 1999 in
respect of prevalence of goitre and population deficient with
iodine. The remarkable improvement in IDD situation in
Bangladesh may be considered as yet another success story in the
health sector.
The third USI survey was conducted during 2004 (last half) and
2005 (first half). In this survey salt samples were collected from
households, retail shops, wholesalers and factories, and iodine
content in salt was estimated titrimetrically in the laboratory. Results
of USI survey indicated that in the rural areas 62% households
consumed packet salt (presumably iodized) only in contrast to 90%
in urban areas; these figures were 26-30% in 1996 & 1999.
Similarly, percentage of households consuming open salt only
(presumably non-iodized) was 33% in rural areas and 6.7% in
urban areas, 45.2% of rural and 71% of urban households are
currently covered by adequately iodized salt i.e. iodine, in salt was
15 ppm, making a national coverage of 51.2%. These percentage
figures are much lower than corresponding to the packaged salts
sold in the market that are adequately iodized. The household
Sad demise of Prof. Quazi Salamatullah
Death of Prof. Quazi Salamatullah, National Coordinator, ICCIDD, Bangladesh is a great loss to entire scientific
community, including ICCIDD. The area of iodine nutrition has suffered a loss.
He was one of the first National Coordinators to be appointed by ICCIDD. The cause of IDD elimination in
Bangladesh (Asia) was very dear to Prof. Salamatullah. He was Professor of Biochemistry at the Institute of Public
Health and Nutrition in Dhaka and played a vital role in providing a high quality laboratory services for the IDD
projects in Bangladesh and also neighbouring countries.
He also continued to bring out IDD Newsletter in
Bangladesh.
Mr. M. Mohiduzzaman, Associate Professor, University of Dhaka, Dhaka is now working as the Acting National
Coordinator in Bangladesh.
coverage with adequately iodized salt has remain stagnant
nationwide at the level of 51-55% during the years from 1996 to
2004/5, despite remarkable increment in the use of packaged salt
during this time, especially between 1999 and 2004/5.
In the rural areas, 62% retailers sold both open and packet salt and
35% sold packet salt (17% in 1999) only. In the urban areas, 61 %
retailers sold packet salt (48% in 1999) only and 37% both packet
as well as open salt. Half of the rural (50.3%) and 63% of the urban
retailers1 shops had adequately iodized salt ( 20 ppm) making a
national coverage of 53.3%, compared to 43.0% in 1999.
c.
d.
1.
197,661.34 MT iodized salt produced by factories under
supervision of CIDD & BSCIC.
2.
Sold 15.51 metric tons (MT) potassium iodate to the salt
iodization factories.
3.
One salt drying machine (centrifuge) produced with the
help of BUET and handed over to a factory in the
Narayanganj zone.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC):
1.
Nearly 53% of packet salt samples collected from wholesalers
contained iodine 20 ppm, similar to retailers' salt.
Only 4.0% of the samples collected from factories contained
iodine as per law, i.e. 45-50 ppm (2.5% in 1999 and 4.8% in
1996). Nearly 40% had < 20 ppm iodine, which was 43.4% in
1999 and 23.9% in 1996.
Iodized salt production:
e.
Out of 8 zones, Dhaka and Narayanganj had the best iodization
status and the Chandpur the worst. Ninety percent of iodized salt
produced by the factories was found packaged in 500g I 1 kg
packets and the remainder was in big sacks.
Capacity building and training:
1.
Salt mill managers I operators training : from August 2004
to April 2005 training was given twice by CIDD experts to
managers I operators of salt mills in 8 zones.
2.
Training was given to BSCIC officers (twice) and Inspectors
(4 times) by ICCIDD Bangladesh experts during May 2004
to April 2005 on quality control, monitoring and data use.
Activities of CIDD
The Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (CIDD) through
Universal Salt Iodization (USI) has the strong political commitment
and administrative support of the government. The USI/CIDD
project is implemented and coordinated by Bangladesh Small
Scale and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) of the Ministry
of Industries. Components of the CIDD project include planning,
capacity building, social mobilization and advocacy, supply and
logistics, supervision and monitoring, and research and
development. The main focus of the CIDD project in the last five
years has been to improve the quality of crude salt, to support cost
sharing of potassium iodate by the private sector for commercial
sustainability of salt iodization, to improve quality assurance by the
private sector through intensive monitoring and capacity building,
and to improve consumer awareness of IDD and iodized salt. All
these activities have been technically and financially supported by
UNICEF. The CIDD activities of BSCIC for the last few months are
mentioned below:
a
Monitoring and evaluation:
1. Once survey on wholesalers salt sellers was conducted
which has been incorporated within the National IDD/USI
survey 2004-2005.
2.
Yearly review meeting of BSCIC officials on monitoring
system were held from 8th to 9th September 2004, and
23rd to 24th August 2005.
3.
A month long intensive monitoring in 8 salt zones in
September 2004 and the yearly meetings with salt factory
owners to review performance, quality control and work
environment were held in 8 salt zones in December 2004.
4.
To overcome the present hurdles for effective monitoring
and ifs subsequent application in law enforcement for
correctional motive in the factories of the 8 salt zones, a
year long program ("Revised external monitoring system")
has been developed by BSCIC & UNICEF. It is being
implemented by CIDD project from April 2005. The
objective of establishing a strong link between monitoring
and enforcement is that informations received throughout
the year can be effectively used to invoke warnings or
sanctions for non-compliance on a regular basis.
5.
A total of 123 meetings of district salt committee for local
level monitoring and supervision of iodized salt were held in
64 districts under 6 divisions between July 2004 and June
2005. Activation of Upazilla (sub-divisional) salt
committees were done in 11 districts (83 meetings held
between January and June 2005) with lowest iodized salt
coverage for monitoring salt retailers and wholesalers.
6.
Sentinel urinary iodine surveillance in the "Mother and
Child Health Training Institute", Dhaka is in place since
2001. Half yearly surveillance was conducted on new
pregnant women. On spot urine and household salt
samples are being collected and iodine content analyzed in
ICCIDD laboratory in Dhaka.
Mobile courts:
1.
b.
f.
A total of 233 cases (factory I shops) in 83 mobile courts
session were prosecuted from July 2004 to June 2005. Out
of these, 17 cases were sent to courts and the rest were
fined on the spot. 34.21 MT non-iodized salts were seized
and million fine of Taka 0.246 collected.
Crude salt production:
1.
Provided 75,000 meters polythene sheet to farmers to
produce white crude salt during 2004-2005.
2.
Jointly with "Salt Industries Development Project" help in
providing training of "Crude Salt Producing Farmers"
practically. Total courses conducted were 30. A total of
2400 farmers attended the training courses.
3.
IEC materials and testing solutions: 0.1 million testing
solutions, 30 thousand big posters, 30 thousand small
posters, 10 thousand danglers, 5 thousand folders and 30
thousand leaflets were distributed.
A total of 0.935 million MT crude salt produced by the
farmers under supervision of CIDD & BSCIC.
4
First Meeting of Regional Working Group for the IDD Elimination
WHO/SEARO, New Delhi (28-29 September 2005)
3.
1. Introduction
Plenary Session
The Ninth Meeting of Health Secretaries of SEARO (July 2004)
3J Presentation on, "Rapid appraisal of progress towards IDD
reviewed the IDD situation in the Region and the summary of the
elimination in South East Region (SEAR) Countries" by
discussion was presented to the Fifty-seventh Session of the WHO
Dr. Abdullah Dustagheer was made in the plenary session.
regional Committee Meeting in, Kurumba, Maldives. The
Committee endorsed the recommendations made by the Ninth
Meeting of Health Secretaries and adopted a Resolution on IDD
(SEA/RC57/R4), urging the member states to reaffirm their
commitment to early and sustainable elimination of IDD and
WHO/SEARO to assist Member States in revitalising advocacy
and awareness and provide technical support to various
components of
IDD Control Programme. The committee also
endorsed the formation of a Regional Working Group for the IDD
Elimination to accelerate the progress towards sustainable
4.
Two groups were constituted to identify constraints
related to USI and IDDCP during The Group Work
Group 1
• Waning interest of collaborating partners and policy
makers on Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
• Cross border salt movement.
• Lack of standard iodine level requirement at production,
retail and household level.
elimination of IDD in the region. Therefore the Technical group
• Lack of upper tolerable level for iodine in salt.
was constituted in 2004 with members representing Programme
• Quality monitoring at production level is poor, leading to
managers
(Public
Health),
Salt
industries,
Laboratories,
Academicians and Collaborating partners.
• Need to improve demand for iodized salt.
The main objective of the group is to review the country status
using
the
ICCIDD/UNICEF/WHO
inadequacy of iodine at consumer level.
recommended
process
• Multiple food items iodized. This has raised the issue of
Iodine excess.
indicators and identify critical gaps/constraints that retard
progress towards achieving USI, and establish contact with the
highest level in the political and bureaucratic hierarchy in each of
• Iodine excess in salt is raised as a concern by several
countries like Bhutan, Indonesia and Thailand.
the countries to enlist their support to accelerate progress towards
• Priority shift from Nutrition to Food Safety.
USI in the shortest possible time.
• Poor enforcement of iodine standards.
The
first
meeting
the
IDD
Elimination
of the
was
Regional
held
in
Working
Group for
WHO/SEARO
from
28-29 September 2005.
2.
• Many small salt producers which leads to difficulty in
monitoring and standardization.
• Decrease in demand of iodized salt with disappearance of
Inaugural Session
visible IDD - i.e. goitre.
Dr. Ponam Khetrapal Singh, DRD/WHO/SEARO read out the
inaugural address of Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional
Director for South East Asia Region. In his address, Dr. Samlee said
Group 2
• Poor coordination.
that the Regional Office had been actively supporting IDD
• Low priority leading to poor enforcement of legislation.
activities for many decades and the results had contributed
• Lack of comprehensive & effective IEC strategies.
substantially to policy formulation and actions by governments,
particularly in progress towards sustainable elimination of iodine
deficiency disorders.
In
conclusion
he
reiterated
WHO's
commitments to support the progress towards the sustainable
elimination of the IDD.
• Inadequate communication channels.
• Lack of funds to roll out communication strategies.
• Large no. of small scale producers.
• Increasing cost of KIO3, SIR maintenance & personnel
Dr. Rukhsana Haider, Regional Advisor, Nutrition for Health and
Development, WHO/SEARO, New Delhi welcomed all the
training.
• Weak market signal to the producer.
participants and explained the objectives of the meeting.
• Inadequate knowledge about salt iodisation.
Dr. Eric-Alain Ategbo, UNICEF, India Country Office was
nominated as the Chairperson, and Mr.
Gyambo Sithey,
Programme Manager, IDDCP, Bhutan as the Rapporteur.
• Inadequate iodisation capacity.
• Low availability of iodised salt in rural & remote areas.
• Infiltration of non iodised salts.
• Improper monitoring at all levels from production to
StA-NUr-IMj
D»tfnbution. Ctravjl
consumption.
• Inadequate human resource.
• Inadequate monitoring information network.
First Meeting of the
Regional Working Group
for IDD Elimination
• Lack of co-ordination between monitoring & enforcement.
USAID expressed
commitment to supporting
IDD control
programme. They also raised the possibility of iodized oil injection
administration as one of the strategy in the region. After
4 Report
WHO/5EARO, New Delhi, India, 29-30 September 2005
deliberation, it was realized that taking into consideration the
present strength of the health system of various countries, it would
be difficult to deliver iodized oil to pregnant women. Moreover, this
would require modification of legislation which would take too
long time to be obtained and finally, it would distract attention from
USI which would experience a set back.
The respective groups made presentations in the Plenary session.
World Health
e
Based on the country experiences the following recommendations
Organization
Ragionil Offlc* lor South-EMt Alto
NtaMN
were made by the Regional Working Group on IDD Elimination.
5.
Recommendations
Time Line
Keys Constraints
Key Recommendations
Key Agency
Decreasing interest in
• Regional (SEARO) level re-advocacy meeting aimed
WHO&
February
UNICEF
2006
Quality control/assurance protocol for production level
ICCIDD&
December
to prepare protocol
Country
2005
at political leadership either as a stand alone or as a piggy back event.
IDD elimination
•
Governments
• National level re-advocacy meetings in SEARO countries
aimed at program managers and bureaucrats
•
International Agencies
• Reactivate National and sub-national level Alliances for
IDD elimination, (include consumer/ civil society/media groups/
education and salt producers in these alliances if already not there)
Quality Assurance at
Production level
•
Program
•
Excess Iodine and
• Quality assurance protocol for national laboratories. This
inadequate iodine.
will include training, defining external QA support (prepare
protocol and training plan including curriculum)
•
Lack of monitoring
linked to corrective action
• Standardisation of iodine levels across the countries and
recommending upper limit (define a range e.g., 30 to 40 ppm)
[short desk review to arrive at appropriate minimum and maximum
iodine level].
• Link to corrective action where needed
6
Manager
Investigation for the colour changes of Yellowfin Tuna
with the application of Iodized Salt
(Aishath Naila', Vicky Solah1
2)
Introduction
Sensory evaluation
The application of iodised salt to many foods has been found to
be the best way to increase iodine consumption in individuals,
preventing Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
The third stage of yellowfin tuna salting process were evaluated by
panelists for both surface and flesh color.
In Maldives 44% of the population consumes iodised salt in
adequate amounts, that is 15ppm according to WHO standards
(Kapil 2002). The importation of only iodised salt into the
country would be the best solution to increasing the iodized salt
consumption in the Maldives. However, fish exporters report
there are significant differences in the color of iodized and non
iodized salted fishery products. In this research the application
of iodized salt to yellowfin tuna fish will confirm if a color
changes does occur in iodized salted fish.
Methodology
In this research, a combination of brine and dry salting (pickling)
has been applied as well as brine salting alone as this is
considered the usual way of preserving fish (Chiralt et al. 2001).
The brine strength solution of 1 7% and 26% has been used by
many researchers (Stoknes, Walde & Synnes 2005; Barat et al.
2005; Andres etal. 2005;Thorarinsdottiretal. 2004; MartinezAlvarez & Gomez-Guillen 2004; Barat et al. 2003; Barat et al.
2004) and similar brines were used in this research. The usual
duration and temperature for fish salting has been used fifteen
days at 3 to 8°C thus the same was followed for this research.
Brine per fish ratio of 20:1 was used to prevent the significant
change of brine strength during salting period (Barat et al.
2003).
A line marking scale was used. The line was 10cm in length and the
marked lines were measured in millimeters and the scores were
averaged. Thirty five panelists were involved and those who marked
the line out of the scale were considered as missing values.
Data analysis
The results for Minolta spectrophotometer readings were analyzed
using General Linear Model of univariate after confirming the
normality and equality of variance. The results for sensory analysis
were analysed using an independent sample t-test after performing
Levene's test of equality of variance and performing normality.
Results and Discussion
Minolta spectrophotometer results
The surface color of the treated (pickled/brined) fish were analyzed
and compared with that of the raw yellowfin tuna surface color
(Figure 1).
-4- raw (control)
-£- pickled dried (Nl)
26% brined fried (Nl)
Sample preparation
Eleven fillets of raw yellowfin tuna were bought from Kailis Bros
fish market located in Fremantle Perth, WA and were cut into
approximately 5x3.5x2cm. The pieces were mixed in such that
the pieces cannot be recognized as a piece from a specific fillet.
Then it was placed into four plastic bags each bag contained 7
pieces of yellowfin tuna. In total for the experiment 35 pieces of
yellowfin tuna were analyzed.
The methodology is divided into three stages of salting as
follows:
Stage 1: Surface color of 1 7% and 20% brined iodised and non
iodised yellowfin tuna pieces for four days, were analysed by
Minolta spectrophotometer for reflected color.
Stage 2: The yellowfin tuna pieces that were brined at 20% were
then further brined at 26% brine concentration for eleven days.
The yellowfin tuna pieces that were brined at 1 7% were then
pickled for 11 days. The color of the fish pieces was then
measured by Minolta spectrophotometer for reflected color.
Stage 3: The treated (brined/pickled) samples described in
the stage 2 of salting process were then dried for seven days at
room temperature with the fan on. The temperature of the room
was 25°C.
-n- pickled dried (I)
26% brined dried (I)
*NI = non-iodized (standard salting method), I = Iodized
Figure 1: Spectral graph for the color of pickled and brined dried
yellowin tuna
As shown in the Figure 1 the surface color of the salted and dried
yellowfin tuna are analogous. There are difference in surface color
between the raw yellowfin tuna and salted and dried yellowfin tuna.
Table 1. CIE Lab parameter results for raw and dried salted yellowfin tuna
Treatment
L*mean ± SD
a* mean ± SD
b*mean±SD |
(brightness)
(redness)
(yellowness)
Raw
42.05±8.15
9.25±2.36
10.45±4.45
26% brined dried (1) ’
61.25± 1.42b
3.71 ± 1.39b
26% brined dried (Nl) *
59.10±2.92b
2.84 ±0.53 b
28.22±2.12 abl
24.99±2.08b |
Pickled dried (1)
62.27±2.91 b
2.03±0.55b
24.83±0.91 b
Pickled dried (Nl)
62.63±2.54 b
1.22±0.94b
21.75±1.78ab
b Values significantly different from the raw yellowifn tuna (P < 0.05)
0 values within the same column are significantly different.
Nl = non-iodized (standard salting method), I = Iodized
1 .Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Male', Maldives
2.Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
Table 1 shows that the brightness (L*) of the dried and salted
yellowfin tuna are highly significant compared to the raw
yellowfin tuna which consists of dark or less bright color. There
are no significant differences detectable in brightness between
iodised and non-iodised dried brined/pickled yellowfin tuna.
In the Table 1 positive a* describes the redness of the dried
brined/pickled and raw yellowfin tuna. The degree of redness is
highest in raw yellowfin tuna. There are no significant
differences in the redness between iodised and non-iodised
pickled/brined yellowfin tuna (P> 0.05).
The positive b* (Table 1) indicates the yellowness of the
brined/pickled and raw yellowfin tuna. There are significant
differences between the yellowness of raw yellowfin tuna with
that of dried brined/pickled yellowfin tuna. Moreover, the
yellowness in brined dried iodised yellowfin tuna is significantly
different than the yellowness in the pickled dried non-iodised
yellowfin tuna. However there are no significant differences in
yellowness detected between iodised and non-iodised brined
dried yellowfin tuna or between pickled dried iodised and non
iodised yellowfin tuna.
In summary there were no color difference in terms of L*, a* and
b* among the iodised and non-iodised brined dried and the
pickled dried iodised and non-iodised yellowfin tuna.
Sensory analysis
In this study, the application of iodised salt in yellowfin tuna
confirmed that the flesh color is not significantly different
between iodised and non-iodised salted yellowfin tuna (Table 2),
as judged by a panel of 35 people in a sensory analysis study. In
addition, according to the sensory panel there were no
significant differences of the surface color of brined iodised and
non-iodised yellowfin tuna (Table 2). However, they did detect a
difference in the surface color of pickled iodised and non
iodised yellowfin tuna as shown in Table 2.
Table 2.
Results for surface and flesh color of salted yellowfin tuna
Treatment
Type of position
Mean ± SD
Panelists
salting
Iodized
brined
surface
pickled surface
Non-iodized
Iodized
brined
flesh
Non-iodized
Iodized
Non-iodized
25 ± 17.22 (a)
34
26.74 ± 17.98(a) 31
Non-iodized
Iodized
Total
pickled flesh
38.94 ± 19.73 (b)
34
51.82± 19.51 (b)
34
25.03± 19.33 (a)
32
18.76± 11.03 (a)
34
22.09± 17.12 (a)
34
23.55± 20.12 (a)
31
(a) no significant difference at 5% level of significance
(b) significantly different at 5% level of significance
Conclusion
Reflectance color (Minolta) results and sensory evaluation results
agree on the surface color of 26% brined dried iodised and non
iodised yellowfin tuna and show that there were no significant
differences in surface color between the iodised and non-iodised
brined dried yellowfin tuna. However, according to panelists there
were significant differences for the surface color of the pickled
iodised and non-iodised dried yellowfin tuna. In contrast the Minolta
results showed that there were no significant differences between the
surface colour of the pickled iodised and non-iodised yellowfin tuna.
On the other hand, according to panelists there were no significant
differences on the flesh color of pickled dried iodised and non
iodised yellowfin tuna.
It is recommended that a new study be conducted at a factory scale
level to detect the color changes offish with the application of iodised
salt compared to non-iodised salt application. This study was
conducted on a small scale in a food laboratory thus it is important to
confirm the results of this study on a larger scale.
References
Andres, A., Rodriguez-Barona, S., Barat, J. M. & Fito, R 2005, 'Salted
cod manufacturing: influence of salting procedure on process yield
and product characteristics', Journal of Food Engineering, vol. 69,
no. 4, pp. 467-471.
Barat, J. M., Gallart-Jornet, L., Andres, A., Akse, L, Carlehog, M. &
Skjerdal, O. T. 2005, 'Influence of cod freshness on the salting,
drying and desalting stages'. Journal of Food Engineering, vol. In
Press, Corrected Proof.
Barat, J. M., Rodriguez-Barona, S., Andres, A. & Fito, R 2003, 'Cod
salting manufacturing analysis', Food Research International, vol.
36, no. 5, pp. 447-453.
Barat, J. M., Rodriguez-Barona, S., Andres, A. & Ibanez, J. B. 2004,
‘Modeling of the cod desalting operation', Journal of food science,
vol. 69, no. 4, pp. FEP183-189.
Chiralt, A., Fito, R, Barat, J. M., Andres, A., Gonzalez-Martinez, C.,
Escriche, I. & Camacho, M. M. 2001, 'Use of vacuum impregnation
in food salting process', Journal of Food Engineering, vol. 49, no. 23, pp. 141-151.
Kapil, U. 2002, Iodine Deficiency Disorder in the Republic of
Maldives, Ministry of Health, Health Information Research Unit,
Male', Maldives.
Martinez-Alvarez, O. & Gomez-Guillen, M. C. 2004, 'Effect of brine
salting at different pHs on the functional properties of cod muscle
proteins after subsequent dry salting', Food Chemistry, vol. In Press,
Corrected Proof.
Stoknes, I. S., Walde, R M. & Synnes, M. 2005, 'Proteolytic activity in
cod (Gadus morhua) muscle during salt curing', Food Research
International, vol. In Press, Corrected Proof.
Thorarinsdottir, K. A., Arason, S., Bogason, S. G. & Kristbergsson, K.
2004, 'The effect of various salt concentrations during brine curing of
cod (Gadus morhua)', International Journal of Food Science and
Technology, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 79-89.
8
"Building Partnerships for Sustainable Elimination of
Iodine Deficiency Disorders in India"
- A symposium by the Vidarbha branch of the Indian Public Health Association, Nagpur
and Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur
in collaboration with ICCIDD & Ml; September 2005
A symposium on "Building Partnerships for Sustainable Elimination
of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in India" was organized by the
Vidarbha branch of the Indian Public Health Association, Nagpur
and Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government
Medical College, Nagpur on the 4th of September 2005 at the
Public Health Institute. The symposium was organized with the
express intent of sharing the new knowledge available for the
control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, which is of significant public
health importance and build partnerships to achieve the program
objectives.
consisted of Dr. BS Garg, Public Health Specialist, Dr. Uday
Bodhankar, eminent Pediatrician, Dr. MB Purwar, Head and
Professor Dept, of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GMC Nagpur, Dr.
Jayashri Shembalkar,
Endocrinologist,
Dr.
Rekha
Sharma,
Nutritionist, Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, Epidemiologist. The discussion
included issues of concern ranging from adequacy of salt
iodisation to role of civic authorities and professional bodies like
the Indian Public Health Association and Indian Association of
Preventive and Social Medicine, which were discussed in depth.
The ill effects of iodine deficiency in pregnant women, children and
adolescents were also discussed. The participants provided their
Dr.
BR Shende,
Joint
Director,
(Health),
Government of
Maharashtra was the Chief Guest on the occasion, Dr. VS Dani,
Dean, Government Medical College presided over the function.
Participants included Senior Faculty members of the Departments
of Community Medicine from all over Vidarbha, Members from the
Public
Health
Representatives
Department,
of the
Government
of Maharashtra,
Indian Medical Association,
Indian
Association of Pediatrics, Nagpur Obstetrics and Gynecology
Society, members from various health related NGOs, members
and experts from the field of food, nutrition and Post Graduate
Students. Dr. Avinash Chaudhary, Deputy Director, Health Services,
Nagpur Circle, Dr. BS Garg, Prof and Head, Dept, of Community
Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences,
Sewagram, Dr. MS Autkar, Principal HFPTC, Nagpur were the
invited guests. 'Trishna' a short film on IDD was screened on the
occasion. The inaugural function was followed by a talk on
' Tracking Progress Towards Sustainable Elimination of IDD in India1
by Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, Professor Depth Of PSM, GMC, Nagpur.
The panel discussion was subsequently undertaken, which
9
views on the efforts to achieve sustainable elimination of Iodine
Deficiency Disorders; the panel also fielded queries from the
participants. The panelist strongly endorsed the need for universal
salt iodization in India.
Symposium on Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Indio on
21st October 2005 The Notional IDD Prevention Day Organizational Report (Maharashtra)
As a port of celebration of 'National Iodine Deficiency Disorders
(IDD) Prevention Day', a symposium on 'Iodine Deficiency Disorders
in India' was organized by the Goitre Cell, Health and Family
Welfare Training Centre, and Nutrition Bureau, Public Health
Department, Government of Maharashtra on 21st October 2005
otthe Public Health Institute, Nagpur.
The symposium was organized with the strong intent of sharing the
new knowledge available in the field of control of Iodine Deficiency
Disorders, which is of significant public health importance and
build partnerships to achieve the program objectives. Another
objective of this symposium was to clear the doubts and
misconceptions related to IDD amongst various stakeholders of the
program and emphasis on Universal Salt Iodization.
Medicine, Public Health Specialists, Participants of ongoing
Professional Development Course, and Participants of ongoing
Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) Training Program.
Dr. R R Doke, Director, Public Health Department, Government of
Maharashtra, Mumbai was the Chief Guest on this occasion. He
inaugurated the symposium and presided over the Inaugural
function. He also guided the audience about the need of universal
salt iodisation. Dr. Sanjay Zodpey, Professor, Preventive and Social
Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur delivered the key
note address on IDD in India.
A total of 160 participants attended Symposium. Participants
included NSS Volunteers from various colleges affiliated to Nagpur
University, Nursing Students, Post-graduate students of Community
Other dignitaries who participated in the symposium included
Dr. Karnataki, Additional Director, Maharashtra Sate AIDS Control
Society, Dr. Khanande, Deputy Director, Health Services, Nagpur
Circle, Dr. Mrs. Thorat, Principal, Public Health Institute, Nagpur,
Dr. Kimmatkar, Deputy Director
Health, Nagpur Municipal
Corporation, Nagpur and Dr. M. S. Autkar, Principal HFPTC,
Nagpur took efforts in organization of the Symposium.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Launch of "Controlling Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies in India;
Meeting the Goal" organised by Micronutrient Initiative in New Delhi on 18 October 2005
Global IDD Day - 21st October 2005- Delhi
Global IDD Day was celebrated on 21 st October 2005 all over the
country. A total of 314 newspapers all over the country carried a
half page advertisement on IDD and Universal Salt Iodisation by
Ministry of Health & Family welfare, Govt, of India (GOI).
The advertisement was published in all the 18 languages of the
country. Department of Women and Child Development published
separate advertisements which were carried in 153 Newspapers
published in all the regional languages including english & hindi
publications all over the country.
While Ministry of Health & family Welfare spent Rs. 40,00,000/(Four Millon) on this, the Deptt. of Women & Child Developement
spent Rs. 25,20,000/- (Rs. 2.52 Million)
Global IDD Celebrations: Uttar Pradesh
The Times of India. Lucknow
Saturday. October 22.2005
State Govt for large-scale
promotion of iodised salt
Tim:o News Nrrwcns
Lucknow: If the ofHci.il.-i of
suite health <ic|i.ir(in>*ni are to
believed. then the government
is all K«ired up to meet the diallengr of high risk fatline defi
ciency in the state. Director
■health), Dr Ram Babu. who was
instrumental In organising (lie
World fixline Deficiency DUurtiers Day seminar in culiabnra
tinn with UNICEF said that the
administration h.v.kept a targel
of making ever eighty per cent
tjf families consume iodisr-il salt
with appropriate level of inline
,‘15 parts per million i by 2005
and hundred per cent by "010
Taiking to 7'01. Dabu said
that the gc-ventmt-nt is timeting
the 351 wholesale salt dealers cf
th: state and are using a mult!
pronged advocacy prewss to Official cf UP health daectorcto and UNICEF addressing u seminar
cn the occasion of World tectno Dof-cicncy Disorders Day in the
make a-.ad.-ib! • iodised salt at
capital on Friday.
grassroots level 'We have roped
id an NGO which will work with Public Distribution System high deficiency )i.-,c| On a wan
the network of primary retail <PDS)’. he claimed.
filling. we itnt talking to salt
erv In all the 2U3 blocks nf ISdis.Meanwhile, the suite rcpre manufacturer* of the ci.-untiy
trirts which accnun for more seatum cf UNICEF. Nlmai ami through the help of media.
than fifty per rent c-f salt inflow Hi ttLiratchy had an intercstinji made them realise the impor
in th* state. In addition, the en point to make
tance of having ir.;;h level of io
tire networii of wtntesakra will
While narrating his experi dine in the salt which they man
be p-acned through workshops. ence of tackling I'xlnic deficien ufacture. We also carried out
We are also tilkim; to major pri cy problem in Nigeria. he said: rigorous test inn anil monitor ing
vate fail market ing companies 'hi law. UNICEF Included tack of the populace. The htud wort.
to sell packaged iodised salt at a Unit uf iodine deficiency in its paid rich dividends anti tn two
lower price Ln addition, supply programme agenda At that years, a majority of them es
of iodised mH in the stats will point of time. 1 was posted as caped the high risk zone*
continue to be improved by ad nutrition officer in the poor
'if this can be done tn Ntgrlocating with the department of country Our flru sample stir ria. which hits scant resourre-s
f«>«l and ch'll supplies fur inch: vcyi Indicated iluit almost all for It* poor, could it not bo repli
-.ion of low-cost packaged women were suffering from cated in Indin where the tltua
ttdtsrd salt tn the food bxskr-t of Goitre .and children showed t ion Li a lot better.' he naked
UP gears up to tackle iodine deficiency
Picsren Ht ws Sr Evict
Lucknow
IT IS coramou to rquxto
golun with ludtn* detkrtney.
Cut goltrv accounts for orjy
10 per cent of tho scrioui Inptteslions of Iodine deficien
cy. The ethers Indutlo roonul cLwnlen among chil
dren, brain damages la ease
of nowtcn foetuses. still
blnia. mUcarriagee. rzutr-u.
dejfn-w. rn c- :.i and Ucjgtslxds in adults
This was disclosed by
Heall!i Director Ham ISsb-j at
a function jcnr.Cy organised
by tho Health IVoctaalo and
tl* UNICEF St the Asontl Ba!
MafJla Hospital n the or
< at-.n cf Iodine ISeCdrocy
Diwrd.-r Dav observed glubally or; October 21
In her presentation on
Iodine DeCacncy Discrder
HDD). Sldela Vtr. project cffleer fnutritionl cf LMCLF.
said that tnsufitdenl supply
of lxtir.0 to body Icarrcd IQ
(inutbgrnce quollcnti by 1015 point. Impairtcg a child's
laer.tal and cognitoo faneUcns. retarding grvwth and
causing speech and bearing
defects
Si.- said that proicn'Jot; uf
IDDs was simple - a daily
coMompUcm of iudisod salt
with adequate level uf iodine
(eqWrakot to a ininlnium of
15 I p-al as sal: »> a. the stan
dard Hem l.i our diet that
contained lodbie
la UP. al prewnt 100 mil
lion people, iir apprcUinatc •
It £0 per cent cf tha papula-
Day at Ilia Avsntl Ba) Mahiln Hospital In Lucknow on Friday
tian Is not hsviag hdtwd
sail The Ur gvsvrnmrnl
has set for Itsall a target to
rmure that SO |.-r cent fam
I'iei eousumed lodi*—I suit
with apprsqin'atn level of io
dine by 2005 and 100 per
cant by 20IU. Vtr laid thai
dies rwfalicd a mEltlwctoral
ellbtl that shu-uid Irrciirdc call
traders. IClrv network read
iest ail’rgo. beallh ert
works. SCO «. poHx dlstrtbub.it sysunu Consumer
gioupi and media
A stisly of the sail trade
undertaken by dis I MOT
Fas helped In mapping the
J52 wlugoalc dealers IS
sc-rw!li-.s lh--r.i.
According Io V.r, tho oxrn tw also direiv light cn the
need u> deark p a nrccli ud >m
to check the quality at sah
trampcelod by roads. Noarty
.11 pr-r mil of lire salt comes
from Lvyarat and llsjasthan.
tut), the <latr> being major
esprU-rsuflbe Ili-L-i Thiw.
tlrcsn are tho toy routes Ur
bncg’cg In sail Uul w ncl
I : ll < -l
The UNICbl' and the
Academy of Managrrnyrit
Acncc-
.studies carried out an
awareness programme
ihrmrgh drsuirt aenutmalion and IL C ratapatpn that
hate tucrMscd Iodised salt
trade from 6 per wot io M
rrvcr.t Tl:<> UP Rtnemrorai
h ylAT.s to t«. ;i tNa effxt
by rutforong lire ban under
the Proscnliuo of Food
AduitrraUsn Act. 15S7 with
ths Health Durstor Health as
the rxslal olOrcr
Th* IAK1 F ha-; agrnit u
svppty rapid mlt tcsirng kit.;
preslur rd ill tnrbr iur.-.e»b>r
il:e |ss-» cep uf Itxtino tn salt
f
Workshop on, "Refreshing Poth to Iodization in Gujarat"
A Workshop on "Refreshing Path to Iodization" was held with the
> The OPPORTUNITY is with you to SERVE! Your careful and
watchful actions are Blessings to UNBORN CHILD who
equally has got right to be BORN NORMAL.
support of ICCIDD in Gujarat on 24th September 2005.
Dr. R. Sankar, UNICEF, Dr. Eric-Alain Ategbo, UNICEF, Dr. Arijit
Chakrabarty, ICCIDD and Mr. Dinesh Thacker, ICCIDD Extender,
Gujarat were present in the workshop among the local salt
manufacturers.
>
Keep input/output register for packing material, KIO3, raw
material.
>
Each proper iodised drop of your plant is like GOLD, as it is
acting a preventing role, and prevention is always better
than CURE .
The workshop highlighted on the following:
A.
Refreshing tips for Iodization Plants Owner
B.
Refreshing tips for Plant Managers
C.
Refreshing tips for Plant Supervisors
B. Refreshing Tips For Plant Managers:
Keep yourself informed about the Production Planning.
>
> As per the requirement and schedule, check that all the
material is available with you at Plant Store. Like Potassium
Iodate, Packing Material, Raw Salt etc.
>
Check the stock of KIO3 and requisite if you found short.
Plan your production according to the availability of this
important input.
> Always, get the thorough analysis of your KIO3 done before
iodisation. There are chances that, the same may not be of
proper strength. Take the "Tested O.K." Reports from your
Boss and then use.
> Always use potable and soft water for dissolving the KIO3.
Boil it. Allow some time to get luke warm. Dissolve the KIO3
in to water and make the solution.
> The ratio of KIO3 is to dissolve 1 kg for 20 tons of salt to
iodize. And accordingly, as per the requirements prepare the
solution.
A. Refreshing Tips For Iodization Plant Owners:
>
>
Daily visit to your plant.
> Surprise check for quality of salt.
>
>
Emphasize on
Responsibility.
maintenance
of
plant.
Assigning
Check, whether the Solution Tank is properly cleaned.
>
Check dripping of Iodine solution.
> Maintain a register of daily consumption of power.
Meter reading habit will help you in many ways.
>
>
>
Check, at the end of the day, no salt remains on the
conveyor belt and in packing area.
Prepare the schedule of cleaning and maintenance of
plant and stick to it.
>
Keep good human relations; be kind to laborers/workers.
Maintain good rapport. Take good care of them.
a)
all the dripping pipes are ok.
b)
the solution tank is full for achieving proper pressure level
c)
close the tank from the top properly
d)
feeding hopper is full and the in-charge person for
feeder is ready.
Depute a person to remove the muddy lumps from the salt,
Act.
> Always maintain the dripping system in order to get
minimum 30 PPM of Iodine in the salt.
> Try to store the finished goods in covered area.
Keep records of your powder salt to check the quality of
Crushing Rollers, to ensure the quality consistency.
>
> Create hygienic atmosphere.
>
Before starting the belt, check that
which travels to crushing roller. Remember that this
negligence may lead your salt to fail in standard set by PEA
> Avoid child labourers.
>
Set the dropping time of solution as per the speed of your
Conveyor Belt. But don't allow even a single Kg till the
dropper is on and set.
Keep your plant and its surroundings neat and clean. Do not
allow your worker to chew tobacco/gutkha and smoking in
the packing area. Earmark the space for such persons.
Determine that, come what may, you are not
compromising in the quality. Believe me "Quality will Take
Care of You".
> Maintain the Power Consumption Register.
>
Strictly follow the maintenance schedule set by your
Boss/Seniors!
> We all are gift of God and when God has assigned us to
iodise the salt for our brothers and sisters, our intention
and integrity should be proper iodization. Believe! HE WILL
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
>
Remember that, you are the part of Iodization Program that
Opportunity God has shouldered upon you. Your negligent
attitude too can be harmful to pregnant women. They may
12
give birth to a deaf and mute child. Child may be mentally
retarded. These all can happen with any mother who is
deficient with IODINE. DO WE WISH THIS MISFORTUNE
TO OCCUR? IF NO, then follow sincerely and
wholeheartedly.
> Your role is very important. You too can earn the blessings
of God. Because you are saving million of lives from the
Dangerof IDD.
>
>
>
> Always make yourself available in the plant when packing
of salt is on.
>
Dripping of solution on belt should be constantly watched.
> Always keep the Test Tube with you and at regular intervals
check the iodine content.
Do not hesitate to speak truth, especially when something
goes wrong. Don't escape from shouldering the
responsibility. "Today's mistake tomorrow's misfortune"
C. Refreshing Tips For Plant Supervisors:
>
Depute a person on feeding belt, which carries salt to
crushing rollers. He should be responsible for removing the
muddy lumps from the belt. This will help to maintain the
quality of the salt.
> Always be kind to your workers/juniors.
>
Keep the solution tank clean. If KIO3 powder is precipitated
at the bottom of the tank, stir the solution properly.
See that solution tank always maintains the pressure so as
there is no variance. Low pressure affects the PPM set by you.
Feeding hopper of raw salt also be watched carefully, here
also if pressure is not maintained, chances of variation in
iodine PPM take place.
>
>
Learn the procedure of checking the iodine.
Don't allow your workers
smoking
and
chewing
tobacco/gutkha in your packing area.
> Apply, "First In First Out"(FIFO) system in your stock if the
Brand Name is same. Stock it accordingly.
>
Remember, you are the key person of the plant. Be alert and
attentive to your job.
>
Keep good relations with the workers and be kind to them.
>
Owner will visit for 10 minutes. Manager may be for an hour,
but you are there for rest of the time. Entire plant is in your
control. So is the future of coming generation of India
National Conference on Eradicating Micronutrient Malnutrition
for Better Health and Higher Economic Growth,
Oct. 28 - 29, 2005, Napolean Hall, Hotel Le Meredien, Janpath, New Delhi
Sponsored By: International Life Sciences Institute - India (ILSI India), ILSI Human Nutrition Institute (ILSI HNI)
Over the last few years ILSI - India has focused attention on
problems relating to micronutrient malnutrition in India and other
South Asian Countries. They have organised workshops to discuss
steps to be taken to improve the nutritional status. However the
problem still persists and a large section of the population in India
suffer from micronutrient malnutrition. While there is an
understanding in the country about the existence of this problem
more efforts are required from all stake holders to improve the
nutrition status.
There is a need to bring greater focus on the nutrition issues and
give its due importance on the Agenda of the country. Micronutrient
malnutrition not only perpetuates a miserable life for malnourished
population but also imposes an economic burden on the country
and retards growth through decreasing productivity of labour force
and increasing absenteeism from work.
Objectives:
Participants - A profile:
Mr. D. H. Pai Panandiker,
Chairaman ILSI - India
Prof. Abhijit Sen, Member,
Planning Commision, Govt, of
India
Mr. N. M. Kejriwal, Vice
President, ILSI - India
• National
Conference
On Eradicating
Micronutrient
Malnutrition For
Better Health
Mr. D. P. Tripathi, Former
secretary, Ministry of Food
Processing Industries, GOI and
Senior Corporate Adviser,
AFPPA
Dr. Kamla Krishnaswamy
Ex Director National Institute of
Nutrition and President, Nutrition Society of India
Dr. Alexander J. Stein, department of Agricultural Economics and
Social sciences, University of Hohenheim (Germany)
Dr. C. S. Pandav, Professor & Head, Centre for Community
Medicine, AllMS and Regional Coordinator (South Asia), ICCIDD
•
To review the micronutrient status of the population.
•
To discuss the socio - economic consequences of micronutrient
malnutrition.
•
To consider various approaches for improvement
micronutrient status and suggest effective strategies.
in
Dr. Kanta K Sharma, Ex. Executive Director, Food and Nutrition
Board.
Dr. S. R. Rao, Director, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of
Science and Technology, GOI
•
To assess the beneficial effect of enriched nutrition on health
and economic developement.
Mr. R. N. Das, Secretary, Deptt. of Food and Public Distribution,
Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, GOI
•
To emphasise the need for public private partnership for
eliminating macronutrient malnutrition to improve health,
productivity and developement.
Dr. Pralhad Sadashiv Patki, Vice President (Medical), Raptakos Brett
arid Co. Ltd
Ms. Deepti Gulati, Senior Nutritionist, World Food Program
The Micronutrient Initaitive's IDD Programs in India
In India, the Micronutrient Initiative's programs on IDD control
have largely been focused on the production side of the salt
industry where it felt that maximum impact could be achieved
through optimum investment. Ml's iodine initiative which really
took off only in 2003 had two components viz .(a) intervention in
the large scale salt sectors and (b) USI promotion by providing
support to the small scale sectors.
Support to Government Undertakings
In India Ml's intervention in the large scale sector involved
providing technical and financial assistance to two large salt
producers, located in the south & north parts of the country.
Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation Ltd. (TNSC), a State Government
undertaking was established with the dual objectives of generating
employment opportunities for the vulnerable segments of society
and also to use ihe potential natural resources for production of
salt and salt-based by-products. In the past decade TNSC has
been associated with the Government of Tamil Nadu in the
implementation of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders
Control Programme (NIDDCP). TNSC contributes to this
programme by supplying iodized salt to the most vulnerable
section of the population through the Public Distribution System
(PDS). TNSC also supplies iron fortified and double fortified salt
(iron and iodine) through the mid day meal scheme. Although,
TNSC salt works were harvesting around 100,000 tons per annum
of salt, the quantify of edible iodized salt produced prior to 2004
was only around 10,000 tons. The iodized salt made by TNSC was
being sold through the PDS under the brand name "Arasu" Salt ata
price of Rs.2.50 as compared to Rs.3.50 and above for other
comparable brands. In 2003, TNSC approached Ml with a
proposal seeking assistance to upgrade its salt iodization facility
and thereby increase its production capacity to meet the
requirements of the PDS in 2 South Indian States of Tamil Nadu
and Andhra Pradesh. A grant agreement was signed between Ml &
TNSC, under which Ml appointed a technical consultant to
evaluate and modernize the iodized salt production facility.
Utilizing grant funds provided by Ml, TNSC was able to install an
iodized salt plant with a capacity of 60,000 tons per annum good
quality iodized salt. In return for ihe grant, TNSC made the
following commitments to the Ml:
a) The increase in iodized salt production as a result of Ml's
intervention would be sold in fair price shops at affordable cost
through PDS in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
b) Even at the increased capacity, TNSC would continue with its
existing system of manual packaging of salt which was being
carried out by women from the economically weaker sections
of society, thereby ensuring their continued livelihood as well as
providing employment opportunities for additional labor.force.
Hindustan Salts Ltd. (HSL) is a wholly owned Government of India
undertaking with salt plants in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Himachal
Pradesh. HSL approached Ml in 2004 with a request for assistance
in upgrading its Sambhar Salts plant located at Sambhar lake, a
salt water lake in Rajasthan. Although Sambhar Salts plant was
producing around 70,000 tons per annum of salt, only 6,000 tons
were being marketed as edible iodized salt due to capacity and
quality limitations. Under the grant provided by Ml, HSL is installing
a salt washery with iodization unit at Sambhar Salts of 70,000 tons
per annum production capacity which is expected to be
commissioned in January 2006 and has a potential reach of
17.5 million population through PDS in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh
and Jharkhand.
Support to the Small Sector
In its endeavor to promote USI in India, Ml has entered into a
collaboration with the Indian chapter of ICCIDD, a renowned
NGO and the premier institution in India engaged in IDD control
activites. Three activities were envisaged in the grant agreement:
a.
Potassium Iodate Subsidy for Small Scale Salt Manufacturers
b.
State level activities for improving adequately iodised salt
coverage at households
c.
Quality assurance and monitoring at production level
The potassium iodate subsidy scheme was undertaken with the key
objective of providing an incentive to small scale iodized salt
producers who normally produce non-refined iodized salt that is
sold at a low cost and caters to poorer sections of the population.
Under this scheme, 14 tons of KIO3 are in the process of being
distributed by March 2006, through Salt Extenders in 4 States, who
identify the potential recipients of this subsidy and also monitor its
usage. These Salt Extenders have also been entrusted with the task
of assessing the present condition of iodization units so that the
same may be made operable. 16 such plants have been targeted
for rehabilitation in Andhra Pradesh. This entire exercise is being
carried out in close coordination with the Office of the Salt
The upgraded plant was commissioned in February 2004 and in
the past one year TNSC has produced around 42,000 tons of
iodized salt with a potential reach of 10.5 million population.
In 2004, TNSC again approached Ml for further assistance in
augmenting its present production capacity by 30,000 tons per
annum io meet ihe PDS requirements of salt in a third South Indian
State namely Karnataka. This project is currently ongoing and the
new iodization plant is expected to be commissioned in December
this year 2006.
Iodized Salt Plant in Andhra Pradesh Identified for Repair
cont. on page 19 —
58th Session of WHO Regional Committee lauds WHO's work in the South-East Asia Region
Special Focus on strategies for dealing with health aspects of disasters,
and control of emergencies arising from emerging communicable diseases
Colombo/New Delhi, 10 September 2005: The 58th Session of
WHO's Regional Committee for South-East Asia concluded on
1 Oth September 2005 with a call for a strong commitment and
joint endeavours for health development by the Member States. It
noted with satisfaction the progress in the implementation of
WHO's collaborative programmes and activities in the Region.
The Committee deliberated on several issues of importance to the
countries, and adopted resolutions on subjects of regional priority,
including on the following:
Consideration of recommendations arising from Technical
discussions on skilled care at every birth: The Committee
stated their concern at the unacceptably high maternal and
neonatal mortality in the Region, and said that most of these
deaths could be prevented with the availability of skilled care at
birth and a strengthened referral system to ensure maternal and
newborn care after birth. It urged Member States to strengthen
national and sub national plans, strategies and programmes to
ensure provision of skilled care at every birth. It asked countries to
identify barriers to equitable access and utilization of skilled care at
birth and to develop evidence-based actions to overcome them.
Appropriate improvements in health systems should be instituted to
strengthen programme management and improve health care
delivery. The Committee sought WHO assistance in this regard.
Health Action in emergencies, including response to
earthquakes and tsunamis of 26 December 2004: The
Committee urged Member to strengthen risk management
mechanisms in the health sector, as a prepared health sector could
mitigate the impact of disasters by reducing avoidable deaths,
injuries and illnesses. The Committee urged Member States to
incorporate emergency preparedness and response
programmes(EPR) within ministries of health to ensure
sustainability. High level offices should manage the EPR,
an importation of wild polio virus.
The Committee urged WHO to collaborate with partners in
ensuring the highest political support for polio eradication and in
mobilizing necessary financial and technical resources.
Asia-Pacific Strategy on emerging diseases: Recognizing the
serious threats posed to public health from emerging diseases like
SARS and avian influenza, Member states were urged to
strengthen their capacity for surveillance and response to detect,
verify and report on communicable disease outbreaks; to increase
co-operation among themselves and to strengthen collaboration
and coordination between the health, veterinary and agricultural
sectors, to enhance early detection of zoonotic diseases such as
Avian influenza and SARS and to urgently develop national
preparedness and response plans with special emphasis on avian
influenza.
Recognizing the likely shortage of drugs and vaccines to deal with
emerging diseases like the avian influenza, the Committee
recognized the importance for Members States to establish risk
communication mechanisms to enable initiation of public health
measures to protect populations, should the need arise.
WHO was requested to support Member States in strengthening
national capacity for communicable disease surveillance and
outbreak alert and response and to facilitate the establishment and
networking of regional centres of excellence to coordinate and
advise on effective implementation of the Asia-Pacific strategy on
emerging diseases. WHO was also asked to assist in the
mobilization of technical, logistic and financial resources to
facilitate the implementation of the strategy to facilitate stock piling
of essential medicines, vaccines and personal protection
equipment to support, develop and implement national influenza
pandemic preparedness plans.
maintaining multisectoral, regional and intercountry
collaboration. They also noted the importance of strengthening
relations with national and international media by strengthening
capacity of health professionals in dealing with media thus
enabling journalists to report more accurately on health issues
during emergencies. The Committee asked WHO to support
Member States in exchanging expertise and information,
increasing partnerships with other UN agencies and facilitating
mobilization of resources.
Polio eradication - final strategy: The Committee recognized
the substantial progress made in the Region towards the goal of
polio eradication in 2005. It noted that while poliomyelitis remains
endemic only in a few districts in India, all countries remain at risk,
given the recent polio outbreak in Indonesia. It urged Member
states where polio virus transmission was endemic, to further
intensify their eradication strategies to interrupt wild polio virus
transmission in 2005, and urged all Member States to maintain
high levels of routine immunization coverage and high quality of
AFP surveillance until global certification of polio eradication is
achieved. The Committee requested countries to develop an
action plan to respond effectively to any polio outbreak caused by
International Health Regulations (2005): The Committee
noted that the Asian-Pacific Strategy and International Health
Regulations (2005) were complementary. It recognized the
enormous challenge faced by Member States in building national
core capacity of Member countries by June 2007 when the revised
IHR would come into force. It stressed the urgency for Member
States to take all necessary steps, including upgrading existing
health infrastructure, building core capacities, establishing
surveillance mechanisms for developing early warning systems;
strengthening laboratory services for immediate diagnosis and
strategic stockpiling of drugs, vaccines and equipment and
mobilizing political commitment.
The Committee urged WHO to facilitate the implementation of
IHR through technical guidance and support including building
core capacity in Member States in detecting, verifying and
responding to public health risks and health emergencies of
international concern. WHO was asked to support resource
mobilization and promotion of inter-country and interregional
collaboration.
The Regional Committee decided that the Technical discussions in
2006 would be held on the subject of "Promoting patient safety at
health care institutions”. The Regional Committee decided that its
fifty-ninth session would be held in Bangladesh in conjunction with
the Meeting of Ministers of Health.
Statement by Prof. M.G. Karmarkar, Senior Advisor ICCIDD
Professor Karmarkar made a statement on behalf of ICCIDD at the
58th session. He stated "one of the significant achievements in the
South East Asia region under the leadership of Regional Director of
WHO, Dr. Samlee Plian Bang Chang, is the progress made in
elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. In the field of noncommunicable diseases and mental health, it is known that iodine
deficiency is the single most common cause of mental handicap.
At the same time, iodine deficiency is the most common
preventable cause of mental handicap, as well".
Children in iodine deficient environment on an average have 13
IQ points less as compared to those children who live in iodine
sufficient areas. This adversely affects learning abilities of children,
repeated failures and school dropouts thereby denying them the
opportunity of attaining their maximum mental & physical
potential. Ensuring mental health for all will not be achievable
without elimination of iodine deficiency induced psychomotor
retardation.
The groups at maximum risk of iodine deficiency are the pregnant
women and the newborn children. To ensure family and
community health, iodine deficiency disorders, one of the main
predisposing causes of child morbidity and mortality must be
eliminated.
While the situation still requires attention, the results of efforts
made in many countries of the WHO - SEARO Region with respect
to availability of adequately iodised salt so far are encouraging.
We can safely say, "The glass is more than half full".
History teaches us that the sustainable elimination of IDD requires
constant vigilance of a range of professional and public interests.
Too many of us may diminish our efforts when we reach the first
plateau. The long, climb to eliminate the stealthy scourge of IDD
from the globe begins with the achievement of Universal Salt
Iodization.
The primary concern to all of us is to ensure that every person
should and, every mother and child must get his or her daily
iodine requirements for all the time to come. The million dollar
question is how?
Some countries of the region are making efforts to reach out for the
vulnerable population by providing coarse grains, pulses and
iodized I double fortified salt to below poverty line (BPL) families
through the public distribution system (PDS) to counterfeit macro
and micronutrient deficiency. Technical assistance is being
provided by ICCIDD in implementation of this program of the
government.
The ICCIDD played pivotal role in policy formulation by regular
interactions and supply of the inputs to the elected representatives,
parliamentarians and policy makers. WHO has been ably assisted
in bringing out the latest 'IEC kit'. We assist the salt industry in
maintaining the quality of iodized salt through our quality
assurance program on a regular basis. As part of strengthening the
technical / scientific aspects of the program of USI in collaboration
with WHO SEARO Office, we have organized two training
programs, one in September 2002 and another in April 2003 at
our laboratory in New Delhi wherein participants from 9 countries
in the South east Asia region were trained. Our partnership with the
civil society groups is expanding. All these, in fact, are in
consonance with WHO's future plan of action.
Expertise and experiences are available amongst the Member
countries. What is needed is coming together of policy makers and
scientific fraternity - together they can start an odyssey into future
ably supported by our partners of private sector, the iodised salt
producers towards a world devoid of IDD, and a healthy society.
Thus, fulfilling the Right of Every Child to optimal physical and
mental development. In this direction, WHO-SEARO, New Delhi
has formed a Regional Working Group comprising of
representatives from Member countries, Salt Producers, Consumer
Associations and representatives from UNICEF/MI/ICCIDD for
IDD Elimination. The broad objectives of this group are:
1)
to identify mechanisms for advocating and strengthening IDD
control/prevention program in WHO Member Countries;
2)
to maximize cooperation and coordination between
governments, partner agencies, concerned stakeholders and
WHO, and
3)
to follow up actions at country and regional levels for
implementing the WHO Regional Committee and World
Health Assembly Resolutions for IDD elimination.
The major outcome of this group would be to develop a regional
plan of action, specifying each member's contribution for IDD
elimination in the South-East Asia Region.
And what a befitting health and nutritional problem to address that
can be guided by three principles of working together as stated by
Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, the Director General of World Health
Organization.
To quote,
" We must do the right things.
We must do them in right places.
And we must do them in the right way"
The Elimination of IDD will be a great triumph in the field of public
health, comparable to the eradication of smallpox". This is
eminently possible. For there are few moments in time when there
is a clear fork in the path of major human endeavor. As we battle
against the ancient and pervasive scourge of iodine deficiency, we
are certainly at a turning point.'Never before has the way to our
goal been so clear or so near. Never before have we been able to
see so clearly or so far.
Pushing In the Right Direction - Steady Progress
in the Control of IDD in India
Eric-Alain Ategbo, Rajan Sankar, And Werner Schultink
Child Development & Nutrition Section, Unicef India Country Office
In May 2000, only three years after the introduction of the
producers, such as Hindustan Lever Ltd. and Tata Chemicals Ltd.,
Universal Salt Iodization Code - banning the sale of non-iodized
have already agreed to market cheaper iodized salt. Moreover,
salt for human consumption, Professor V. Ramalingaswami of the
penetration of packaged iodized salt in remote areas has
All India Institute of Medical Sciences confidently announced:
remarkably improved.
"India is on the brink of the elimination of iodine deficiency as a
To enable small-scale salt producers to adequately iodize their
public health problem."
product, a series of training sessions have been carried out to
improve their know-how and their iodization skills. In 2005 alone,
In a stunning reversal, a mere four months later, the ban on the sale
of non-iodized salt was repealed. The Indian Medical Association
lamented the decision to repeal the ban, stating that "it re-imposes
more than 1,000 small scale salt producers were trained in the
States of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Through the
2000 was widely felt: there was a dramatic drop in the percentage
supply of mobile laboratories, technical support is given to small
producers to improve quality assurance of their production.
of households consuming adequately iodized salt, from 49% (in
In addition, a study on the economics of the Indian salt trade was
1999) to 37% (in 2003). Despite an explicit commitment to the
commissioned and used to devise a marketing plan for the
production and trade of iodized salt. This study clearly
a serious public health burden". The damage from this decision in
elimination of IDD through salt iodization expressed in India's 1 Oth
Five-year plan (2003-2007), IDD remains a public health problem
in 2005. Surveys carried out by the Ministry of Health and Family
demonstrated that iodization is profit-makingbusiness, a strong
incentive for producers to engage in pro-duction and trade of
Welfare indicate no state in India is free from IDD. Opening the
iodized salt. The outcome of the mar-keting plan is in the public
market for both iodized and non-iodized salt and leaving the
domain.
choice to the consumer was the wrong policy decision from a
public health perspective. Once again, large numbers of people,
including the most vulnerable- children and pregnant women-
were exposed to the health, social, and economic consequences
caused by insufficient iodine in the diet.
Due to close partnership with the salt industry, along with provision
of technical and marketing support to salt producers(with special
attention to small-scale producers), production of iodized salt
started picking up again in 2003 to achieve a total production of
4.6 million tons in 2004 (Figure 1).
However, the recent Government of India has shown are newed
interest in salt iodization. On June 15, 2005, the Government
Educating the population on the importance of iodized salt
officially announced its intention to re introduce the central ban on
Because poorer communities often do not have information about
the sale of non iodized salt for human consumption. This decision
the importance of iodine for their health and its benefits for the
brought IDD elimination through universal salt iodization (USI)
back on the agenda of program managers. UNICEF, while
development of their children, they are unable to make the right
working toward the reinstatement of the ban, has continued efforts
the need to use iodized salt is critical. To accelerate progress, a
choice. Creating awareness among the general population about
new communication strategy was designed and implemented; its
on several fronts to promote USI in India.
focus is on the learning capability of children. These messages are
Increasing the availability of iodized salt
spread through Angawadi workers (community nutrition and child
The estimated annual requirement for iodized salt for human
development workers), Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives(ANM),
consumption in India is 5.2 million(m) tons. But, despite having the
capacity to iodize 13 m tons with existing infrastructure, India
currently only iodizes 4.6 m tons, and a significant amount of this is
exported. As a consequence, the amount of iodized salt available
in local shops and markets is generally inadequate.
Therefore, a central strategy to reach USI is to increase the amount
of iodized salt on the market through dialogue with salt traders and
wholesalers, as well as medium- and large-scale salt producers.
These groups package the largest part of the salt for human
consumption and also have the capacity to iodize. They should be
motivated to do so at a reasonable price. The hindrances they
experience should be understood and attempts made to remove
them,
without
influencing
normal
trade
practices.
Large
17
Figure 1. Iodized salt production in India
Women Self-Help Groups, and, most importantly, through
A school lunch containing
iodized salt
provided by the
Mid Day Meal Scheme
in Karnataka State
schools. Collaboration with consumer organizations is also a
powerful intervention being used in different parts of the country.
Partnership was formed with the Federation of Consumers'
Associations in South India for the promotion of the sole of iodized
salt at retail outlets and its consumption. This has resulted in an
increase from 21 % to 53% in household availability of iodized salt
in this region.
Creating pressure groups to promote iodized salt
In Uttar Pradesh, the largest state of India, 80% of salt mar-keted in
the state is controlled by 340 wholesalers spread across 15
districts. To increase availability of iodized salt in the state, a local
NGO has frequent interactions with these traders to ensure its
availability. Frequent sensitization meetings are held with salt
traders. Their salt is tested and immediate feedback given to them
on the iodine content of their consignment. This is an effective
approach: after one year, the proportion of school children with
A strong monitoring System is a key to success. The existing plan to
adequately iodized household salt in Uttar Pradesh increased
certify quality of salt for its iodine content before loading into
railway wagons needs to be improved. A system for the quality
from 15% to 25%.
control of salt transported by road is urgently needed. Finally, it is
important to strengthen control at the production and wholesale
Working at retail outlets in the state of Tamil Nadu, the Federation
of Consumers' Association (FEDCOT) acts as a pressure group to
encourage retailers to offer only iodized salt for human
level, and to get policymakers and program managers to support
consumption (see box). As a result, the number of brands on the
this new plan.
market containing no iodine significantly decreased. Reproductive
Making iodized salt available to the lower socio economic
and Child Health(RCH) surveys and measurement of iodine
levels of society
content in household salt were carried out in 26 out of the 29
India has a large social welfare scheme for child develop-ment,
districts in the State. In 2002/2003, only 22% of households were
consuming adequately iodized salt; since then, there has been a
the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The ICDS is
designed to ensure, among other goals, adequate nutrition to
children living Below the Poverty Line(BPL). Altogether, the
program reaches >30 million children <6 y-old, through more
significant increase in households using adequately iodized salt, in
all districts (Figure 2).
than a half million centers in the country. The scheme provides one
meal a day for every BPL child. In many regions, advocacy with
Figure 2. Iodized salt use in the State of Tamil Nadu, India
central and state governments has made iodized salt use
compulsory for meals in this program. Likewise, to promote
education, the government is providing one meal a day to children
attending school, through the Mid Day Meal scheme. This pro
gram is also presents a good opportunity to provide iodized salt.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is an elaborate network of Fair
Price Shops set up to ensure availability of essential com-modities
at an affordable price to BPL families. There are470,000 FPS in
India, and these offer a ready-made distribution scheme to take
iodized salt to the remotest areas in the country. As a result of an
advocacy push, the central govern-ment has sent out directives.
Several state governments are now distributing iodized salt
Strengthening monitoring
through PDS at a low, subsidized price (Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu,
This component of the IDD elimination program needs to be
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka), and use of
revisited and strengthened. There is a considerable quantity of salt
which carries a label of being iodized while in reality it is not. This
makes consumers vulnerable. To date, the main quality control
iodized salt in mid-day meal schemes and ICDS is now mandatory.
system captured only iodized salt transported by rail. However, due
to a recent hike in rail freight costs, increasing quantities of salt are
being transported by road. This is now more economical for
distances less than 1,600 km. Until now, salt transported by road
has not been subject to quality control.
These initial efforts, to use the ICDS and PDS to ensure the poorest
communities understand the importance of iodine and provide
access to affordable iodized salt, are commendable. This strategy,
as well as the program of using iodized salt in the mid-day meal
scheme, needs to be taken to scale. It would bea major step
towards universal use of iodized salt - a goal that India has
repeatedly committed itself to achieving.
18
Figure 3. Urinary iodine concentrations in
children in five States of India
Strengthening partnerships to accelerate progress
To accelerate progress toward achieving the goal of USI in India,
UNICEF is spearheading a partnership with WHO, the World Food
Program, ICCIDD, and the Micronutrient Initiative (Ml). It is
expected that this inter-agency partnership will take the initiative
and the leadership in the formation of a National Coalition for
Universal Salt Iodization in India. ICCIDD, Ml and UNICEF have
jointly conducted several tracking studies on the elimination of IDD
through USI in various states. To date, studies have been
completed in five states (Figure 3). A study is planned for Uttar
Pradesh in early 2006; this is the most populous state in India
with 160 million inhabitants.
... cont. from page 14
Commissioner of India, Jaipur. The Ml has commissioned a
consultancy to study the salt production & distribution patterns in
Tamil Nadu and provide a model framework that will determine
the future strategy for KIO3 subsidy and can be replicated in other
ICCIDD has also been interacting with Salt Commissioner office to
provide quality control assistance to the nodal laboratories of the
Salt Department as well as training and capacity building of the
States.
Work Ahead
Under the MI-ICCIDD collaboration, meetings have been held
with several State Government Agencies including Civil Supplies
Corporations to promote the marketing of iodized salt through
PDS in these States. An IDD dissemination workshop was
organized by ICCIDD in Orissa State. Training Sessions were
conducted in coordination with UNICEF in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan for small scale salt producers, on
proper iodization techniques, plant maintenance and correct
analytical procedures
The KIO3 subsidy program is proposed to continue for the year
2006-07 and Ml hopes to put in place an alternate viable system
to ensure sustainability of this program. The MI-ICCIDD India
collaboration is in the process of devising plan of action to improve
coverage of iodized salt in non producing States. IDD
dissemination workshops are envisaged in more States. Ml is also
keen to promote the concept of double fortification of salt with iron
& iodine as a complementary strategy to tackle IDA & IDD.
officers of the Department.
■ -1!
■■■■■Si
Reaching the hundredth Monkey
In 1952, on the island of Koshima in Japan, scientists were providing monkeys with sweet potatoes dropped in the sand.
The monkeys enjoyed the sweet potatoes but found the dirt unpleasant. One 18-month-old female found she could solve
the problem by washing the potatoes in a nearby stream. This cultural innovation was picked up by various monkeys before
the eyes of scientists.
Between 1952 and 1958 all the young monkeys and some adults had learned this social improvement. Then something
startling happened. One morning there were 99 monkeys who had learned to wash sweet potatoes. Then the hundredth
monkey discovered it. And thafs when it happened. By that evening, virtually every monkey in the tribe was washing the
potatoes. But, most surprisingly, the habit then spontaneously jumped over the sea until colonies on other islands and on
the mainland began washing their potatoes!
Thus when a certain critical number achieves awareness, the awareness can become universal. It also means that when
only a limited number of people know of a new way, it may remain the property of only those people.
We at ICCIDD must ensure that a substantial proportion of our energy, our funds, our time are aimed at reaching the
hundredth monkey.
$*/$•*//
Daily consumption of Iodised salt
is a healthy habit
Sustaining Elimination of IDD
ICCIDD
Publishing any material in IQ+ Jagriti does not necessarily mean ICCIDD's endorsement of the
views expressed therein or the results quoted.
Materials for publication, subscription request, comments may be sent to: Dr. Chandrakant S Pandav
Address: Room No 28, CCM Building, Old OT Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029
E-mail: cpandav@iqplusin.org
Position: 1384 (18 views)