June 6, 2007
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
PO Box 7186
Canberrra, BC ACT 2610
AUSTRALIA
RE: Proposal P230 Consideration of Mandatory Fortification with Iodine
Our previous letter of August 25, 2007 set forth our endorsement for your proposal at that time. We recognise the challenge of tailoring your solution to the resources at hand, including the political will to restrict consumer choice with regard to iodised salt. Thus, we register the support of the Salt Institute, a global leader in the public health campaign to eliminate iodine malnutrition, for the limited intervention proposed: namely, requiring use of iodised salt in bread.
From a salt manufacturer’s point of view, providing iodised salt is relatively simple and not drastically costly. Perhaps the largest costs involve having to maintain two separate inventories of bulk food salt: one iodised for the baking industry and the other, plain salt for some baked goods and for other food processors. It matters little whether all baked goods are to use iodised salt or only a selected portion.
While recording ourselves in favour of your proposal, we would take this opportunity to remind the FSANZ Board and the Ministerial Council of our concern, registered last August:
We believe the proposal would be strengthened by including a strong statement that the government is committed to protecting and enhancing the mental development of the next generation through the iodisation of salt and that this proposal is the first step to carry that policy into effect. That will put the public and the food industry on notice that an extension of the use of iodised salt would be in order should the current intervention fall short of its expected achievement of adequate iodine intakes for the population.
It is reasonable to approach the challenge of augmenting the iodine intake of Australians and New Zealanders, but the food industry should recognise that it remains the best means of avoiding the preventable mental retardation of children by utilising a proven, inexpensive and dramatically effective intervention: use of iodised salt.
Congratulations to FSANZ for its scientifically-based and transparent process – and for this evidence of enlightened leadership.
Sincerely yours,
Richard L. Hanneman
President
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