COX'S BAZAR, Apr 03: Despite government directive salt crush mill owners are not mixing iodine in 25 per cent salt of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar region. From now, mobile courts to be conducted against salt millers if they fail to mix iodine with salt at adequate levels.
Speakers made the comment at a school orientation workshop on "increasing mass awareness programme in using iodised salt" in Cox's Bazar town. The workshop was held in the conference hall of Cox's Bazar government girls high school on Saturday.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Mustaq Hasan Mohammad Iftikhar was present at the workshop as chief guest.
Presided over by Assistant General Manager of BSCIC Sayed Ahmed the function also addressed among others by BSCIC Director Jibon Kumar Chowdhury, General Manager Engineer Shafiqul Alam, Chittagong Regional Director Mohammad Saiful Islam, Deputy General Manager Dildar Ahmed Chowdhury and Head Teacher of Cox's Bazar government high school Lutfun Nesa. BSCIC arranged the function to increase awareness of using iodine salt among people.
BSCIC chairman said that 84 salt crush mills are producing iodised salt in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar regions. But the miller's are not mixing iodine with 25 per cent salt. BSCIC will involve district and police administration to monitor iodine mixing activities with salt, he said.
UNICEF is working with salt mill owners and managers to encourage adequate iodisation by holding orientations and workshops that explain the health implications of the lack of iodine.
Speakers said at the workshop that people can test for the presence of iodine in salt using locally available materials. Firstly one teaspoon of salt is mixed with five grains of cooked rice, then two drops of lime juice are squeezed on top. Iodine is present if the salt turns purple. UNICEF provides informations to community nutrition workers to raise awareness of this method.
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