Iodized Salt in India: Strengthening Quality Control Along the Supply Chain

State level wholesalers and traders of edible salt to increase supply of adequately iodized salt to the Indian consumers

The deputy salt commissioner, Mr. M.A. Ansari, along with district officials interact with participants during GAIN-organized consultations.

Nearly half of households in India according to the 2005/2006 National Family Health Survey 3, do not have access to adequately iodized salt. Strengthening quality control at production centers along with regulatory monitoring is key in India to accelerate universal salt iodization.

From the production centers to the consumers, the wholesalers and traders within a state are an important link along the supply chain of edible salt. Besides other factors, the quality of iodization at the production centers is also dependent on the indications from these wholesalers and traders of salt.

GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) in close consultation with the Salt Department of the Government of India, conducted a series of interactive consultations with these wholesalers and traders of edible salt in order to strengthen the quality control along the salt trade chain.

As a first step, 12 trading centers were identified encompassing the eight states which have household access to adequately iodized salt below the national average of 51% as per the National Family Health Survey 3 (2005/2006 1). These trading centers are located in small towns and cities accessed by the main wholesalers and traders of edible salt.

The series of these interactive meetings were led by the Salt Department, Government of India. Participation by the local district administration was ensured. Other partner agencies with GAIN working in the field of Universal Salt Iodization, such as UNICEF, Micronutrient Initiative and Indian Coalition for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICIDD) also participated in these meetings which highlighted:

• Sensitization of the wholesalers and traders to ensure supply of adequately iodized salt

• Encourage use of salt testing kit by wholesalers and traders to strengthen quality control along the supply chain

• Advocacy with the district administration to increase vigilance in order to strengthen the regulatory monitoring

• Assurance by the salt department to strengthen quality control in the production centres. Advocate with the health department to strengthen the Iodine Deficiencies Disorders control programme and with partners advocate to increase demand for adequately iodized salt

1. 1. UNICEF’s CES study 2009 found 71% of HH have access to adequately iodized salt.