Chandigarh, January 03, 2025: India has made significant strides in addressing the health issues caused by iodine deficiency. Iodine, a critical micronutrient, plays an essential role in thyroid function, and its deficiency can lead to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). These disorders affect people of all ages and can have severe consequences, especially for children and pregnant women.
One of the most concerning conditions linked to iodine deficiency is hypothyroidism, where the thyroid fails to produce enough hormones. If untreated, this condition can be life-threatening, causing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold. In children, iodine deficiency can impair mental development, and for pregnant women, it increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and developmental issues in the fetus, including cretinism.
Fortunately, iodine deficiency is avoidable through one of the simpler ways – iodized salt. Iodized salt is an easy addition to everyday cooking and can provide a part of daily iodine intake to help control iodine deficiency. Recognizing the importance of iodine, India has mandated iodisation of salt in the country and Tata Salt has played a pioneering role in this initiative since 1983.
As the first brand to introduce vacuum-evaporated iodized salt, Tata Salt has become a trusted name in millions of Indian households. Deepika Bhan, President of Packaged Foods at Tata Consumer Products, stated, “Tata Salt is committed to providing iodized salt with the right amount of iodine to address challenges
linked to iodine deficiency. For years, our brand has been delivering quality products to millions of Indian families for their well-being.”
According to the India Iodine Survey 2018-19, Tata Salt has significantly contributed to the reduction of iodine deficiency disorders. The survey with 21,406 household coverage across 29 states and 7 union territories found that increased consumption of iodized salt has reduced iodine deficiency. However, the survey also revealed that at the national level, the household coverage with iodine content equal to or more than 15 Parts Per Million (ppm) was just 76.3%. In Punjab, household coverage of adequately iodised salt is just 85.1% and 17.7% of people are still unaware of iodized salt.
Tata Salt continues to innovate with products like Tata Salt Lite and Tata Himalayan Rock Salt to meet diverse consumer needs and promote well-being. The brand is also actively engaged in public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the importance of iodine in their diets.
India’s ongoing journey to combat iodine deficiency highlights the power of public awareness and collective action. Continued efforts to increase the adoption of iodized salt will be one of the key steps to ensuring a secure future for generations to come.