Evaluation of Iodine Content and Suitability of Common Salts Sold in Mubi Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Human beings and animals need iodine as an essential micronutrient. Deficiency of this mineral has a wide range of negative consequences referred to as iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). IDD has been recognized as a public health problem in Nigeria. Universal salt iodization (USI) was identified as a global strategy for elimination of IDD (UNICEF, WHO, 1994). IDD-Task Force (2002) reported cases of Salt of uncertain quality and iodine content making its way into the markets and finally the households. Objectives: The study investigated the iodine content and suitability of common salts sold in Mubi market Adamawa state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Five types of sachet salts (250mg) were randomly purchased from the market and coded S1 to S5. The manufacturing companies were noted. Titrometric method was used to determine the iodine and potassium iodate content of the salt samples. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) standard of > 30ppm iodine and > 50ppm potassium iodate content at retail level, was used as the standard to determine the suitability of the salt samples. Results: Iodine content of the salt samples ranged from 12.80 – 35.70ppm and potassium iodate content ranged from 28.60 – 52.84 ppm. Samples S2 (35.70ppm, 52.84ppm) and S3 (34.24ppm, 51.60ppm) iodine and potassium iodate content respectively met the NAFDAC requirement while S1 (29.80, 47.66ppm), S4 (25.33, 30.75ppm) and S5 (12.80, 28.60ppm) iodine and potassium iodate content respectively, did not meet the standard for retail level salt iodization. S5 a locally made salt which had less than half the requirement for retail level salt iodization (12.80 ppm iodine) is not suitable for household consumption based on the NAFDAC standards. Conclusion: Sixty percent of the salts sampled in Mubi market did not meet the NAFDAC Standard of iodine content and suitability at retail level. Consumers are advised to buy salts made by reputable companies. People are advised to take note of these facts when buying salts for household use. Further studies are required to ascertain the iodine content of the salts in the households.