Planning and Implementing Salt Iodization at the Operational level

The Role of Governments

Governments play a key role in creating an enabling environment for salt producers to ensure the long- term sustainability of the salt industry and fortification in salt-producing countries. Government also needs to ensure that trade-related policies supports rather than undermines the consumption of iodized salt. Government roles thus include setting and enforcing regulations and standards, improving infrastructure (roads, transport), and ensuring that taxes and duties affecting the salt industry do not have a negative effect on the consumption of iodized salt.

Regulations and Standards:

34 countries in Africa have adopted legislation to regulate the production and distribution of iodized salt (Allen, et al, 2006. p 120) WHO Food fortification Guidelines

There is a need to for standard iodine levels across countries in Africa. This will promote salt trade between countries and simplify the monitoring of salt iodization.

Trade, taxes and duties:

High taxes and duties on the salt industry are lucrative for governments in the short term, but their long term social and economic impacts are negative. It contributes to poor sales of salt, since prices are not competitive in the international market. This prevents growth and expansion within the industry, and inhibits job creation. This in turn reduces tax revenues for governments. Furthermore, from a development standpoint, poor performance with the prevention of IDD contributes to reduced GDP, increases the burden on the health care system.

Removing regional barriers to trade is also important:

In West Africa, for example, trade between Anglophone and Francophone countries is restricted through economic policies, which limits the marketability of salt produced in Senegal and Ghana, and fuels imports from countries as far afield as Brazil and Namibia.

Government commitment to IDD, including creating a more favorable environment for the salt industry, is essential if countries are to reach the USI targets.