With Global Iodine Deficiency Day observed on October 21 each year, Tata Salt, pioneers of the salt iodisation movement in India, has launched establish a campaign — The Missing I to spread awareness on the importance of iodine in the diet and steps for tackling iodine deficiency that can lead to a multitude of health disorders such as goitre, hypothyroidism, miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital anomalies, infant and neonatal mortality, and impaired growth.
Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. Iodine deficiency causes irreparable damage to the developing brain and is especially damaging during the early stages of pregnancy and in early childhood. It can cause a vast spectrum of mental disorders and loss of intellectual capacity. Salt is known to be an effective micronutrient carrier, therefore making iodised food grade salt, one of the easiest ways of supplementing one’s diet with this vital nutrient.
Dr Chandrakant S Pandav, alumni at AIIMS, New Delhi, and presently the member of National Council on India Nutrition Challenges under Poshan Abhiyan, said: “A pinch of iodised salt can give us freedom from preventable brain damage as we continue on our journey to become a healthy nation. Universal salt iodisation, WHO’s preferred strategy for the elimination of IDD, results in saving 1.5 billion IQ points in children globally every year. Let us as a country take a pledge to ensure daily consumption of adequately iodised salt for a healthy mind and body.”