Comparative Assessment of Iodine Content of Commercial Table Salt Brands Available in Nigerian Market

Abstract

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been a major global public health problem threatening more than 2 billion people worldwide. Considering various human health implications associated with iodine deficiency, universal salt iodization programme has been recognized as one of the best methods of preventing iodine deficiency disorder and iodizing table salt is currently done in many countries. In this study, comparative assessment of iodine content of commercially available table salt brands in Nigerian market were investigated and iodine content were measured in ten table salt brands samples using iodometric titration. The iodine content ranged from 14.80 mg/kg – 16.90 mg/kg with mean value of 15.90 mg/kg for Sea salt; 24.30 mg/kg – 25.40 mg/kg with mean value of 24.60 mg/kg for Dangote salt (blue sachet); 22.10 mg/kg – 23.10 mg/kg with mean value of 22.40 mg/kg for Dangote salt (red sachet); 23.30 mg/kg – 24.30 mg/kg with mean value of 23.60 mg/kg for Mr Chef salt; 23.30 mg/kg – 24.30 mg/kg with mean value of 23.60 mg/kg for Annapurna; 26.80 mg/kg – 27.50 mg/kg with mean value of 27.20mg/kg for Uncle Palm salt; 23.30 mg/kg – 29.60 mg/kg with mean content of 26.40 mg/kg for Dangote (bag); 25.40 mg/kg – 26.50 mg/kg with mean value of 26.50 mg/kg for Royal salt; 36.80 mg/kg – 37.20 mg/kg with mean iodine content of 37.0 mg/kg for Abakaliki refined salt, and 30.07 mg/kg – 31.20 mg/kg with mean value of 31.00 mg/kg for Ikom refined salt. The mean iodine content measured in the Sea salt brand (15.70 mg/kg) was significantly P < 0.01 lower compared to those measured in other table salt brands. Although the iodine content of Abakaliki and Ikom refined salt exceed the recommended value, it is clear that only Sea salt brand falls below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended value (20 – 30 mg/kg), while the remaining table salt samples are just within the range. The results obtained have revealed that 70 % of the table salt brands were adequately iodized while 30 % of the table salt brands were not adequately iodized and provided baseline data that can be used for potential identification of human health risks associated with inadequate and/or excess iodine content in table salt brands consumed in households in Nigeria.