(a) whether the Government have lifted the ban on production and marketing of non-iodized salt;
(b) if so, the date on which the above ban has been lifted and the reasons therefor;
(c) the likely effect on the health of the people due to use of non-iodized salt;
(d) whether many medical specialists and doctors have urged upon the Government to consider reimposition of the said ban in view of the necessity of iodine for human being; and
(e) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. C.P. THAKUR)
(a)to(e): A statement is laid on the table of Lok Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 11 FOR 24.7.2000
(a) to (e): There is no ban on production and marketing of common salt except its sale for
direct human consumption. As per amendment made in PFA Rules w.e.f. 27.5.1998, only iodised
salt can be sold for direct human consumption. A draft notification has been issued on
10.5.2000, inviting public comments to withdraw this restriction.
There is no positive harm to human health due to consumption of common salt.
Iodisation of common salt, however, helps to effectively combat various iodine deficiency
disorders which are widely prevalent in the country.
Representations have been received from the public both supporting and opposing the
proposed withdrawal of compulsory iodisation of salt for direct human consumption. All these
representations will be carefully examined before a final decision is taken on whether to
follow a strategy of compulsion or a voluntary acceptance of the use of iodised salt to combat
iodine deficiency disorders.