The Centre is in the process of framing a policy that balances salt intake to combat rising non-communicable disease (NCD) such as cardiovascular diseases and hypertension while ensuring adequate iodine levels to prevent deficiency disorders.
Moving forward, a policy-based approach that balances salt reduction with adequate iodine supplementation is essential for better health outcomes is in the offing, indicated Dr Shikha Vardhan, ADG, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), Union Health Ministry here at a meeting led by Nutrition International, WHO-India, Resolve to Save Lives, and the Iodine Global Network.
Among others, the meet was attended by experts from NP-NCD and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) which is deliberating in this regard to address the double health burden of high salt intake and low iodine level.
Dr. Vardhan also mentioned that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is revising the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme guidelines to ensure optimal iodine nutrition. This action comes in response to concerns that no State in India is completely free from Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), as reported by the Ministry in Parliament in 2022. Iodine is an essential micronutrient, needed daily in amounts of 100-150 micrograms for normal growth and development.
Experts noted that current WHO guidelines recommend limiting salt intake to less than 5 grams per day, but in India, people consume nearly twice this amount, leaving them majorly vulnerable to hypertension. Currently, an estimated 220 million people in India are suffering from hypertension.
Dr Alka Rao of FSSAI highlighted ongoing efforts like the Eat Right campaign to support healthier choices. The meeting called for more nationally representative data on sodium and iodine intake that could aid in making informed policy decisions and tailoring interventions effectively.
Under the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), the goal is to bring the prevalence of IDD to below 5 percent in the country and to ensure 100 percent consumption of adequately iodated salt (15ppm) at the household level.
The experts at the meet also suggested that in addition to mass awareness campaigns, innovative strategies that promote the use of low sodium salt substitutes that have proven to be effective should be explored. Policies should be implemented to reduce salt intake from all sources, including restaurant meals, public procurement, packaged foods, and to reinforce mandatory iodization, said the experts.
