Improved salt iodation methods for small-scale salt producers in low-resource settings in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Universal salt iodation will prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Globally, salt-iodation technologies mostly target large and medium-scale salt-producers. Since most producers in low-income countries are small-scale, we examined and improved the performance of hand and knapsack-sprayers used locally in Tanzania.

<p>Iodine Status and Discretionary Choices Consumption Among Primary School Children, Kinondoni Tanzania</p>

“…Sustaining this success, however, continue to be a significant challenge as it needs close cooperation among partners at various levels and active monitoring with small-scale salt producers. [32][33][34] In some countries where the fortification of iodine is mandatory, the incidence of excessive iodine consumption among school-aged children has increased. 6,17,35,36 This increase is significant and needs strengthening of monitoring systems in Iodine Deficiency control programs, such as adjusting iodine concentration in fortified salt.…”

High national and sub-national coverage of iodised salt in India: evidence from the first National Iodine and Salt Intake Survey (NISI) 2014–2015

“…In addition, an attempt has also been made with production-end interventions to nudge salt manufacturers away from unrefined and unpackaged salt production to refined and packaged salt. Assey et al have shown that knap-sack spraying and manual mixing yielded much more homogeneous iodisation of salt in salt bags at small-scale salt producers (27) . Several projects have been undertaken to supply packaging material to small-and medium-scale producers, to support them for technology upgrading and setting up of refineries (28) .…”

Tanzania national survey on iodine deficiency: impact after twelve years of salt iodation

“…In many areas weaknesses in salt quality assurance in salt production that include inconsistencies in salt/iodate mixing, consumer's preference for uncontrolled backyard salt production, and non-adherence to salt regulations by salt producers and traders are reflected in low coverage of I-salt and in the high or low levels of iodine [ 11 , 25 ]. The coverage of I-salt at household level obtained using test kit method in this study and in our previous study [ 14 ] showed its concordance with UIC.…”

“…The difficulty of providing a continuous supply of potassium iodate and the poor iodation technologies in many small-scale salt producers could be factors in the shortage of I-salt in households and the iodine variability observed in this survey [ 14 , 27 ]. Increased use of appropriate technology from recently modified iodation procedures using local spray pumps with manual mixing under close supervision [ 25 ], and the creation of a system for consumers to contribute to the costs of potassium iodate may reverse the situation and sustain salt iodation in Tanzania.…”