ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the implementation of national food safety standard for “Iodine Concentration in Edible Salt”(GB 26878-2011) and its effectiveness on iodine nutritional status of key populations. Methods Information of iodine concentration in edible iodized salt of various provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities, including Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) was collected using Baidu Searching Engine through the establishment of key words. Sal t samples were collected in Tianjin City and Aksu Region of Xinjiang , and the salt iodine concentration in both places was 30 mg/kg. In Tianjin, Hongqiao, Tanggu and Hangu, Beichen were selected as representatives of the downtown areas, the coastal areas and the suburbs, respectively and counties of Baodi and Ji were iodine deficiency areas in history. Sampling work was carried out from August 2012 to March 2013 in Tianjin. In Aksu, Yatuoer Township and Charqi Town in Baicheng County, Aotebeixi and Aketuohai Townships in Wushen County were chosen as iodine deficiency areas, and the survey was carried out from January to September 2013 . Random urine samples of school-age children ( 8 - 10 years old ) , pregnant women and lactating women were collected; urinary iodine was measured following the Method for Determination of Iodine in Urine by As3+-Ce4+ Catalytic Spectrophotometry(WS/T 107-2006) and iodine in edible iodized salt was measured following the General Test Method in Salt Industry Determination of Iodideion ( GB/T 13025 . 7-1999 ) . Results Fourteen of the provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities, including the Corps of Xinjiang) chose 25 mg/kg as their iodine concentration in edible iodized salt and 13 provinces chose 30 mg/kg. Besides, there were another 5 provinces providing 30 mg/kg particularly for pregnant women and lactating women while 25 mg/kg for other populations. In Tianjin, the medians of iodine concentration in edible iodized salt were ranged from 24.4 - 32.1 mg/kg in retail stores and 26.4 mg/kg at households. The household coverage rate of iodized salt and the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt were 78.5%(168/214) and 62.6%(134/214), respectively. The median ranges of urinary iodine were 178.2 - 183.9 μg/L in school children, 124.3 - 130.9 μg/L in pregnant women and 72.7 - 109.5 μg/L in lactating women. In Aksu, the medians of iodine concentration in edible iodized salt were 27.1 and 26.5 mg/kg in retail stores and households, respectively. The household coverage rate of iodized salt and the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt were 100.0% (363/363) and 98.9%(359/363), respectively. The median ranges of urinary iodine were 174.8 - 293.0, 154.9 - 230.0 and 135.8 - 239.3 μg/L among school children, pregnant women and lactating women, respectively. The median of iodine concentration in a special edible iodized salt sample reached 49.1 mg/kg, and qualified rate was 0(0/11) in Aksu. Conclusions All provinces , municipalities and autonomous regions ( including the Corps of Xingjiang ) in China have adjusted the iodine content in edible iodized salt in accordance with GB 26878-2011. However, in Tianjin the household iodine concentration in edible salt is lower than the local standards; the household coverage rate of iodized salt and the proportion of households using adequately iodized salt are lower than the national standards; pregnant women and lactating women are at risk of mild iodine deficiency.