(a) whether the Iodized Salt Coverage Study conducted by a leading
international organisation claims more than fifty per cent of the rural population
of the country still consumes non-iodized salt;
(b) if so, the details of the study with the reaction of the Government thereon; and
(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard including ban on the
sale of non-iodized salt in the country especially in rural areas?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ABU HASEM KHAN CHOUDHURY)
(a)&(b): Iodized Salt Coverage Study 2010 conducted by Salt Commissioner, GO1 along with some
International Organisations has revealed that 47.2% rural households were consuming adequately
iodated salt (>15 ppm), 42.2% households were consuming inadequately iodated salt (
The Iodized Salt Coverage Study 2010 was conducted in eight states i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand while the Coverage
Evaluation Study (CES) conducted by M/o Health &Family Welfare, Government Of India and UNICEF
covering 30 states of the country has revealed that 66.1% of rural households were consuming
adequately iodated salt (>15 ppm), 22.6% rural households
were consuming inadequately iodated salt (
(c): In order to prevent & control Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Government of India is
implementing National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) in the country
for entire population. Financial assistance is provided to all States/UT`s for establishment
of IDD Cell and IDD Monitoring Laboratory, conducting district IDD surveys, health education
and publicity to create awareness amongst people to use only iodated salt. In addition, funds
are provided to Salt Commissioner`s Office for quality control of iodated salt at production
level.
Regulation 2.9.30 (1)(2)(3) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food
Additives), Regulation, 2011 prescribes the standard for edible common salt including iodized
salt, iron fortified common salt and iron fortified iodized salt (double fortified salt).
Regulation 2.3.12 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales),
Regulation, 2011 restricts the sale of common salt for direct human consumption unless
the same is iodized