Title : Assessment of iodine content of local commercial table/ cooking salt brands in Egyptian (Cairo) market
Abstract:
Introduction: Iodine is a rare element. Iodine is a component of thyroid gland hormones. Iodine Deficiency Disease (IDD) is an important public health problem all over the world, occurs as a result of iodine deficiency.
Aim: To determine the levels of iodine in commercial dietary salts; and to compare the results of this study with data reported in published studies related to iodine levels in salts from different countries.
Methods: In this study, the iodine amounts of 15 edible salt brands with 300 samples collected from supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocery, local shop and weekly fair in Cairo, Egypt were analyzed and then compared with the Egyptian Food Codex Salt.
Results: Mean of all the 20 samples was appropriate at the Egyptian codex level of 30-70 ppm as KIO3 (17.79-41.78 ppm as I), although some batches (1-5, 5-25%) had lower concentration (< 30 ppm/17.79 ppm).
Conclusion: Iodine deficiency detected in salts in the market increases the risk of IDD, in this case, it is important that the sustainability of food control and inspection by administrative authorities is effective for the protection of public health.
Keywords: Iodine, salt, public health, Egypt.
