Iodine Programme Manager unhappy with salt producers

Cape Coast, Sept 12, GNA- Mr Jacob Armah, the Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) Control Programme Manager of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), on Thursday expressed concern about some salt iodating machines acquired for some producers, but allowed to go waste in the Central Region.

Mr Armah was addressing a seminar on the enforcement of the law on salt iodations for environmental health officers and law enforcement agencies as well as salt producers in the region.

The seminar was organised by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) as a result of reports that some producers continue to produce raw salt. This, he said, contravenes the Food and Drugs Amendment Act 523 of 1996, which makes it mandatory for the "fortification of salt intended for human or animal consumption with potassium iodate or any micronutrient."

Mr Armah said the machines have been covered with tarpaulin while raw salt continues to be churned out for sale, adding ''Just a few of the salt producers in the region add potassium iodate to the salt they produce''.

He said the numerous disorders associated with iodine deficiency are severe on both humans and animals. This, he said affect the nation's human resources including low school enrolment in iodine deficiency endemic communities, and low productivity.

Mr Armah said there are plans to train 18 small-scale salt producers, six each in the Ketu, Keta and Ada districts, in simple salt iodation technology.

The Deputy Chief Executive of the FDB, Mr. Ben Botwe, called on district assemblies to help curb the incidence of IDDs by acquiring iodation plants to support salt producers in their areas.

He also suggested a system that could be evolved to enable small-scale salt producers sell their produce to large-scale producers to iodate raw salt.