GAIN-UNICEF Universal Salt Iodization Partnership Program

Salt Iodization

According to UNICEF, every year 38 million children are born with impaired mental abilities because their mothers' diets do not contain enough iodine. Yet salt iodization is a simple, safe and inexpensive intervention. The World Bank reports that it costs US$ .05 per child per year.

After 15 years of work, worldwide universal salt iodization programs reach approximately 70 percent of all households in developing countries; recently, however, programs have stalled and in some cases iodized salt coverage has even declined. New models are needed to reach higher levels of coverage and to assure that achievements are sustained.

A Market-Based Approach

The GAIN-UNICEF Universal Salt Iodization Partnership Project responds to this requirement for new models. GAIN and UNICEF received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2008 to contribute to global efforts to eliminate iodine deficiency through salt iodization in 13 countries with the lowest coverage of iodized salt and the greatest burden of iodine deficiency. The project aims to reach 90 percent of the population in these 13 countries (Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Senegal and Ukraine) with iodized salt. This represents more than 790 million people not yet covered by worldwide salt iodization programs, including more than 19 million new born infants every year.

Through the five year project, GAIN will support salt producers to move from small subsistence salt production to business-like quality iodized branded salt production that adheres to standards and government regulations and links to distribution networks. GAIN has completed its review of African and Asian countries and is preparing strategic plans in collaboration with national partners. 

To complement these efforts, UNICEF supports efforts to stimulate long-term demand for iodized salt among consumers and the food industry, as well as to reinforce government and public sector commitment through advocacy.

Read more about the GAIN-UNICEF partnership's objectives and key areas of work.