18 May 2016, Metro Manila — The Bantay Asin Task Forces (BATFs) at the regional and local levels reaffirmed their commitment in intensifying the implementation of the Salt Iodization Program (SIP) in Metro Manila. In a meeting held in Richville Hotel in Mandaluyong City on 18 May 2016, the representatives of the regional and local BATFs agreed to strengthen the monitoring of iodized salt utilization in the region. Salt sold in markets and other retail stores should not only be iodized but should be adequately iodized. This is needed to ensure that at least 90% of households use iodized salt.
Republic Act 8172 entitled “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for Related Purposes” or the ASIN Law requires all food outlets, restaurants, and stores to make available to consumers only iodized salt. In support of the ASIN Law, local government units through their respective BATFs check and monitor if the food-grade salt being sold in their locality is iodized and has the Saktong Iodine sa Asin Quality Seal as an indication that the salt contains at least 30-70 ppm of iodine (mg/Kg). The BATFs use of the Rapid Test Kit (RTK) to check the presence of iodine in salt and the iodine checker machine to test the iodine content of the salt.
PSSupt. Joselito D. Pajarilla of the Philippine National Police (PNP) NCR Police Office-Community Relations Division committed to assist LGUs in their salt monitoring activities in public markets, retail stores and food establishments. The NCRPO will issue an advisory to all NCR police precincts to provide police assistance in salt monitoring activities. The BTAFs also agreed on the monitoring forms and the reporting mechanism for the SIP. Due to the limited supply of RTK, the regional technical working on SIP (RTWG-SIP) will explore the use of the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling Technique in doing the household salt testing to get a better picture of the salt utilization of the households.
Iodine is a mineral which is essential for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) that includes simple goiter, mental retardation, and decreased child survival, among others. “We need to continuously educate the public on the importance of using iodized salt and ensure that all households are using iodized salt. We need to work together to prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)”, NNC-NCR Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo said. “Using iodized salt is the most practical way of getting iodine in our daily diet”, she added. (ELF/MEVF/NNCNCR)