Nine out of 100 Filipinos were afflicted with goiter more than diabetes in 2021.

This was revealed by Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus, a respected endocrinologist and immediate past president of the Philippine Thyroid Association.

Nicodemus also shared that the three other known thyroid disorders—hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer—affect a significant number of Filipinos.

This was the alarming reality in the Philippines before 1995 when iodized salt was not yet widely available in the market. 

That all changed, thanks to our unsung heroes - the Regional and Local Bantay-Asin Task Forces. Their vital mission? Ensuring every grain of salt you consume contains just the right amount of iodine.

According to Milagros Federizo, regional nutrition program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council National Capital Region (NNC-NCR), the most practical and least expensive way to get iodine is through iodized salt. Iodized salt is an easy ingredient to add to dishes daily. Because of its usefulness, it's an easy way to ensure you get enough iodine without significantly changing your diet.

When a person's body is low in iodine and unable to produce adequate thyroid hormones, it can lead to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).

Ensuring the right amount of iodine in your salt is the work of unsung heroes – the Regional and Local Bantay-Asin Task Forces (R/LBATFs). They are important in ensuring that iodized salt, an affordable and efficient way to prevent IDD, is available in the market. Since 1995, the ASIN Law (Republic Act 8172) has required food-grade salt makers to iodize their goods, and restaurants and stores are only allowed to provide iodized salt. 

What does RBATF do?

•Develop plans to help the National Salt Iodization Program (NSIP) succeed;

•Organize and oversee the region's NSIP, which includes working with salt producers and dealers, establishing local task forces, and creating annual plans;

•Advocate for the full enforcement of the ASIN Law in the region, ensuring ongoing support for the program;

•Keep track of how well the program works by holding regular meetings, visiting salt producers' warehouses, and checking salt in ports.

How do they monitor iodine in salt?

Several tools are used to monitor the amount of iodine in salt in the market. Rapid test kits are among these tools, offering a rapid evaluation of iodine content by qualitative analysis. The titration technique is utilized for quantitative assessments to more accurately assess iodine levels. As an accurate replacement to determine the iodine concentration, the WYD iodine checker is also used for quantitative analysis. 

The task force monitors in the following areas:Production sites, ports, road checkpoints, markets, grocery stores, sari-sari stores, bakeries, food service establishments and households

Salts monitored should maintain iodine levels between 30-70 parts per million (ppm) at production sites and market levels and 15 ppm at the household level, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended.

RA 8172 mandates all food-grade manufacturers to iodize their salt for production, distribution, or trade. Restaurants, food outlets, and stores must offer iodized salt exclusively. Violations may incur administrative fines ranging from P1,000 to P100,000.

Why do we need Iodine?

Prevention of IDD:

The significant consequences of IDD are invisible and irreversible, but it’s preventable if there is proper intake of iodine. 

IDD includes conditions like goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland, cretinism, severe mental and physical growth impairment, and various developmental issues in children.

Fetal development and pregnancy

Pregnant mothers who lack proper iodine intake may have complications, including intellectual disabilities and developmental delays in the fetus.

Thyroid function

The thyroid gland controls tissue growth, development, energy production, and metabolism. Thyroid illnesses result from the thyroid's inability to produce enough of these hormones without enough iodine.

It is also important to remember that although iodine is essential for good health, taking too much of it may also be harmful.

So the next time you instinctively reach for the salt shaker, think of the hidden guardians making sure each sprinkle boosts your health. Those humble grains enriching your food with flavor also nourish your body with a crucial nutrient. The Regional and Local Bantay-Asin Task Force deserve thanks for their invisible but essential labor keeping Filipinos healthy one dish at a time. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)