Resumo

LOPEZ LINARES, S. Assessment of Iodine Content in Packaged Salt Available in Points of Sale of Deprived Neighbourhoods of Salta City. Rev. argent. endocrinol. metab. [online]. 2015, vol.52, n.4, pp.179-184. ISSN 1851-3034.

Introduction: Diet fails to provide adequate amounts of iodine similarly in both developed and developing countries and universal use of iodized salt guarantees that those people living in iodine deficient areas have proper access to this important nutrient. Iodine deficiency is recognised as being the main cause of disability, brain damage, low IQ and low quality of life, which can all be prevented. Objective: To determine the iodine content in packaged salt samples obtained from points of sale in deprived neighbourhoods with Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN) ≥ 40 % Salta city. Material and Methods: Descriptive, cross-cutting study. Twelve neighbourhoods (30 %) belonging to the area with UBN ≥ 40 % were selected and a 2 % indicator of households with UBN forming a sample of 61 packets of salt were included. The election of the packaged salt included the buying of only one packet, the cheapest salt per point of sale to complete the number of samples according to design. Iodine content was determined by titration considering the reference value established by legislation: 24.7 to 41.2 ppm. Results: All samples that corresponded to 8 trademarks had printed "iodized salt" on their labels. The weight stated on the package was found in 37.7 % of samples. Iodine content: X ± DS 27.8 ± 24.1 ppm, range: 0.0 to 74.0 ppm. Suitable: 18.0 %, poor: 45.9 % (31.1 % without iodine), in excess: 36.1 %. The packaged salt comes from local producers: 90.2 % (iodine content X ± SD: 27.2 ± 24.6 ppm); regional producers: 6.5 % (iodine content X ± SD: 26.7 ± 21.9 ppm) and national producers: 3.3 % (iodine content X ± DS: (45.5 ± 4.5 ppm). Conclusions: A high percentage of salts with incorrect and/or no iodination was observed. Samples with no or inadequate iodization restricts the halogen accessibility, further limiting vulnerable populations exposed to developing deficiency related diseases.

Palavras-chave : Salts; Iodine deficiency; public health.

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