82pc iodine lost, if packaged in plastic bags

FE Report | Published: February 02, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Use of plastic bags as packaging material for iodized salts for human consumption causes higher loss of iodine by 82 per cent, a study revealed.
It recommends a ban on the use of plastic bags for storage and transport of salt for human consumption to check higher loss of iodine.
"A magnitude of this loss lowers the iodine content in salt below the recommended levels of 15 parts per million mandated at the consumption level," the study said.
Type of packaging material is the most important factor for controlling moisture gain and thereby iodin loss in iodized salt, it added.
Findings of the study were revealed Saturday at a dissemination workshop held at BARC of the city.
Bangladesh Agricultural University conducted the study recently under a project 'estimating stability of iodine in different types of iodized salt used for human consumption in Bangladesh'. Micronutrient Initiative (MI), a Canadian non-government organisation (NGO), sponsored the study.
Dr. M Burhan Uddin, professor, department of food technology and rural industries of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, and coordinator of the project gave a presentation on findings of the study at the workshop.
Professor Dr Mesbauddin Ahmed, dean, faculty of agricultural engineering and technology, BAU, presided over the workshop.
The findings also strongly suggest a lowering of requirements of iodine in salt to 30 parts per million (PPM) from 45-50 (PPM) to optimise the use of iodine in salt and yet meet the requirements of iodine.
According to the existing law, salt processors should add 45 to 50 mg of iodine to per kilogram of salt estimating some loss of iodine in salt during storages. These standards have been made when iodine losses were significantly higher. With the improved manufacturing processes and better packaging system such losses were reduced sharply.
The study measured on average 14 per cent iodine loss in iodized salt over a one year period.
"This loss is much lower than previously anticipated and the iodine content is above the minimum mandated levels of 15 parts per million of iodine," it said.
Mr Ashek Mahfuz, National Programme Officer for food and fortification programmes at MI said the sponsor is supporting the government and private sector in Bangladesh in improving the quality of iodized salts.
"There must be a scientific evidence of actual losses of iodine during storage and transportation. The study will help the government plan future steps," he said.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder said the findings will help in revising the standard and ensuring an upgraded manufacturing and packaging system.
He urged the private sector to come forward as a part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to work together with the government for alleviating iodine deficiencies in Bangladesh.
Private sector representatives from the ACI, BRAC, IFAD, Mollah Salt manufacturing industries also spoke on the occasion.