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NAFDAC Counsels Against Deficient Salt Use From Julcit Onigbogi in Abuja National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday in Abuja organised a media sensitisation workshop on the dangers of the use of iodine deficient salt. Speaking at the workshop, NAFDAC's Director-General, Dr. (Mrs) Dora Akunyili, said the Agency was poised to do all it could to ensure virtual elimination of diseases caused by iodine deficiency and other micro nutrient deficiencies in Nigeria as soon possible. Iodine deficiency disorders include goitre, cretinism (reduced growth), dry skin, constipation, still births and miscarriages. Besides, for children and even for unborn babies, iodine deficiency causes growth retardation and poor mental development leading to low intelligence. The most frightening aspect of iodine deficiency in babies and children, according to medical experts, is the inability of the brain to be fully developed for maximum Intelligent Quotient (IQ). She added that the Agency planned to partner with the media for the improvement and sustenance of the success recorded in the area of salt iodisation. The iodisation programme started in 1993 after series of meetings were held between NAFDAC, Ministry of Health, UNICEF and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) with salt manufactures, importers and distributors and it was agreed that table salt should be iodized and have a minimum level of 50mg iodine/kg ex-factory and 30mg iodine/kg at retail end. Between 2000 and 2002, reports were received that salt iodisation compliance in Nigeria was faltering. This was attributed to irregular and uncoordinated monitoring of iodized salt production, importation, storage, marketing and consumption at the time. In October 2003, Nigeria was celebrated in Beijing, China as the first developing country to achieve Universal Salt Iodisation a great improvement to happenings in the past. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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