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
Famous quotes containing the words government, iodine and/or regulations:
“In government offices which are sensitive to the vehemence and passion of mass sentiment public men have no sure tenure. They are in effect perpetual office seekers, always on trial for their political lives, always required to court their restless constituents.”
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)
“During Prohibition days, when South Carolina was actively advertising the iodine content of its vegetables, the Hell Hole brand of ‘liquid corn’ was notorious with its waggish slogan: ‘Not a Goiter in a Gallon.’”
—Administration in the State of Sout, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“The admission of Oriental immigrants who cannot be amalgamated with our people has been made the subject either of prohibitory clauses in our treaties and statutes or of strict administrative regulations secured by diplomatic negotiations. I sincerely hope that we may continue to minimize the evils likely to arise from such immigration without unnecessary friction and by mutual concessions between self-respecting governments.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)