Iodized salt compulsory in Bantaeng

Iodized salt compulsory in Bantaeng

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The local representative of UNICEF, Purwanta Iskandar, said here on Wednesday that the Bantaeng regency in the province had regulated the use of iodized salt.

He called on other regencies to follow suit in its program to publicize the importance of using iodized salt.

He said UNICEF would continue to forge cooperation with local mass media and administrations in a worldwide effort to fight against diseases caused by the lack of iodine in the diet.

Millions of children in rural parts of the province are under threat of mental disorder, abnormalities and several other diseases as most fail to consume enough iodine.

"We will provide test kits for regents and their deputies to allow them to examine the supply of salt in traditional markets," he said in a meeting with deputy regents in the province.

He said with such a regulation, local administrations would have an authority to impose sanctions against those supplying uniodized salt in all regencies in the province. --JP