The Chinese Government and Iodine Regulations
Iodine deficiency is still a widespread problem in western, southern and eastern parts of China, as their iodized salt intake level is much lower than the average national level.Iodine deficiency is a range of different disorders that affect many different populations. It is estimated that IDDs affect between 800 million and 2 billion people worldwide; countries have spent millions of dollars in implementing iodized salt as a means to counteract the iodine deficiencies prevalent today. With China accounting for "40% of the total population", it bears a large portion of those who are iodine deficient. Chinese government implemented a program of regulating salt to contain iodine starting in 1995. A more recent study has confirmed that the availability of Iodized salt in the provinces of China has increased since this date. Today, about one third of the Chinese population is still living in areas with low concentrations of iodine in their water supply. Salt is available in China for less than the retail price in some other countries, at about 5 cents, and is consumed regularly in most diets. This is very cost effective for not only producers who now must abide by the iodized salt regulations but also those for those who need to consume it. The black market however, is still laden with the non-iodized counterpart and partially accounts for the population still be fairly saturated with IDD’s.
Read more about this topic: Iodine Deficiency In China
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