Salt Iodization

Global action to prevent mental impairment

GAIN works with UNICEF to increase the percentage of households in the world who use iodized salt from 70% up to 85% by increasing salt iodization in 13 priority countries. The partnership aims to protect an additional 790 million people and especially 20 million infants from iodine deficiency over the next 5 years.

While salt iodization is standard practice in many parts of the world, it is not yet implemented everywhere or does not yet reach all consumers. Yet, salt iodization is a simple and safe method to resolve serious public health problems in developing countries: deficiencies of iodine lead to disorders such as goiter and limit intellectual capacity by 10 to 15 IQ points on average.

Part of the programme is the stimulation of large and small salt producers to add iodine to household salt.