A farmer harvests salt (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Iodine GlobalNetwork has ranked Vietnam among the top 19 iodine-deficient countries, accordingto the Vietnamese Health Ministry’s National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
A 2013-2014 report by the National Hospitalof Endocrinology showed that goiter (neck swelling from enlarged thyroid) rateamong children aged 8-10 was 9.8 percent while the coverage of household iodizedsalt consumption was nearly 60 percent.
Meanwhile, its 2000-2010 study pointed outthat food grown naturally in the country held an inconsiderable amount ofiodine that can’t meet body demand. Only 6 percent of respondents said they useiodized salt while 75 percent of the remaining season their food with fishsauce and other seasonings.
Before 2005, Vietnam conducted a nationaltarget programme on iodine addition. However, after iodine deficiency waseliminated, regulations on compulsory use of iodine were removed so iodineconsumption slumped suddenly. The lack of a national target programme on goitreprevention and control or State funding to mix iodine into salt also madepeople switch to using non-iodised seasonings.
The NIN said a governmental decree on addingmicro-nutrients into food took effect in March 15, 2017 but it was ignored bymost firms.
Do Hong Phuong, nutrition policy expert fromUNICEF said among 130 countries that enforce use of iodine, 69 required iodizedsalt be used in processed food.
She said adding micro-nutrients into foodonly costs 0.06 USD per person per year, and urged food processors to raisetheir sense of social responsibility.
The NIN warned that iodine deficiency willlead to goitre, mental retardation, miscarriages and brain damage in the fetusand infants.
The recommended dietary allowance of iodineis 90-120 mcg per day for children and 150 mcg per day for adults. Sea fish,seaweed, amaranth and watercress are all rich in iodine.-VNA
A 2013-2014 report by the National Hospitalof Endocrinology showed that goiter (neck swelling from enlarged thyroid) rateamong children aged 8-10 was 9.8 percent while the coverage of household iodizedsalt consumption was nearly 60 percent.
Meanwhile, its 2000-2010 study pointed outthat food grown naturally in the country held an inconsiderable amount ofiodine that can’t meet body demand. Only 6 percent of respondents said they useiodized salt while 75 percent of the remaining season their food with fishsauce and other seasonings.
Before 2005, Vietnam conducted a nationaltarget programme on iodine addition. However, after iodine deficiency waseliminated, regulations on compulsory use of iodine were removed so iodineconsumption slumped suddenly. The lack of a national target programme on goitreprevention and control or State funding to mix iodine into salt also madepeople switch to using non-iodised seasonings.
The NIN said a governmental decree on addingmicro-nutrients into food took effect in March 15, 2017 but it was ignored bymost firms.
Do Hong Phuong, nutrition policy expert fromUNICEF said among 130 countries that enforce use of iodine, 69 required iodizedsalt be used in processed food.
She said adding micro-nutrients into foodonly costs 0.06 USD per person per year, and urged food processors to raisetheir sense of social responsibility.
The NIN warned that iodine deficiency willlead to goitre, mental retardation, miscarriages and brain damage in the fetusand infants.
The recommended dietary allowance of iodineis 90-120 mcg per day for children and 150 mcg per day for adults. Sea fish,seaweed, amaranth and watercress are all rich in iodine.-VNA
VNA
