Practices
Salt Iodization
Also Known As Universal Salt Iodization · USI
Nutrition Practice
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The population-level fortification of salt for human consumption with iodine, which the World Health Organization recommends for all food-grade salt used in households and food processing. Its purpose is the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders, and it works at the population level because salt is consumed nearly universally, so fortifying it raises iodine intake without requiring individual behavior change. Switzerland planned nationwide iodization of table and cooking salt in 1922, and iodized salt reached grocers' shelves across Michigan in May 1924, produced voluntarily by manufacturers. The WHO describes the strategy as safe and effective.
Facts
Origin YearThe year iodized salt first went on sale at scale, across Michigan in May 1924; Switzerland had planned nationwide iodization in 1922. Practice ClassNutrition science, food fortification 2 Cross-Tradition Connections
Sources
1. A Grain of Salt (Milbank Quarterly)
The Milbank QuarterlyMichigan 1924 accountQuote, Michigan 1924 account
On May 1, 1924, the first boxes of iodized salt appeared on grocers' shelves all over the state. Incredibly, the salt manufacturers voluntarily produced every box; no laws or regulations were required.
1. A Grain of Salt (Milbank Quarterly)
The Milbank QuarterlyA Grain of Salt, May 1924 paragraphQuote, A Grain of Salt, May 1924 paragraph
On May 1, 1924, the first boxes of iodized salt appeared on grocers' shelves all over the state.
2. World Health Organization Official Site
World Health OrganizationeLENA: Salt iodization intervention pageQuote, eLENA: Salt iodization intervention page
Iodization is the process of fortifying salt for human consumption with iodine and is an effective strategy to increase iodine intake at the population level.
2. World Health Organization Official Site
World Health OrganizationeLENA: Salt iodization, WHO recommendationQuote, eLENA: Salt iodization, WHO recommendation
All food-grade salt, used in household and food processing should be fortified with iodine as a safe and effective strategy for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.
2. World Health Organization Official Site
World Health OrganizationIn Branch: Nutrition Science, eLENA: Salt iodization, intervention framingView the Source 2. World Health Organization Official Site
World Health OrganizationAssociated With: Food Fortification, eLENA: Salt iodization, fortification definitionView the Source Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
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