Planning and Implementing Salt Iodization at the Operational level

Double Fortified Salt (DFS)

After more than a decade of rigorous research and development work, salt fortified with both iodine and iron (in encapsulated form) can now be put to work to improve the health and learning capacity of millions of children and women world-wide.

Double fortified salt (DFS) consists of regular edible salt that has been fortified with both iodine and iron. An encapsulated iron premix (also called DFS premix) has been developed by the Micronutrient Initiative and University of Toronto. It is suitable for blending with locally produced iodized salt, thus resulting in double fortified salt. The DFS Premix is a light grey granular powder with particle size close to that of refined iodized salt. Efficacy studies in Ghana have demonstrated that DFS was efficacious in reducing anemia in children by 23% over an eight-month period. Studies have also shown that it is acceptable to consumers, and stable during storage and transportation, even under harsh conditions.

Double fortified salt (DFS) can be produced by adding the encapsulated iron to salt that has already been iodized. It can be done through a simple batch process in any country where salt is already being iodized. Currently the DFS premix is manufactured by one company, based in India. The company is ready to export the DFS premix to companies in African countries where conditions are right for such an innovation. DFS presents an opportunity for salt manufacturers looking for a quality measure by which they can distinguish their brand of salt from that of other salt manufacturing companies.

You can obtain more information about Double Fortified Salt and the DFS Initiative here:

MIDouble Fortified Salt Technical Breakthrough and here: DFS Initiative

The DFS product description can be found here: DFS product description

The DFS premix product description is here: DFS premix product description