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Concept of double salt fortification; a tool to curtail micronutrient deficiencies and improve human health status
Author(s) -
Sultan Saira,
Anjum Faqir Muhammad,
Butt Masood Sadiq,
Huma Nuzhat,
Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6634
Subject(s) - iodised salt , micronutrient , iodine , iodine deficiency , fortification , food fortification , ferrous , iron deficiency , iodate , goiter , iodide , bioavailability , fortified food , medicine , thyroid function , chemistry , environmental health , thyroid , food science , endocrinology , anemia , inorganic chemistry , pharmacology , organic chemistry , pathology
Abstract Fortification of food with micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals is one of the main strategies used to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Fortification in common salt is a fruitful strategy because of the daily consumption of 5–12 g salt per person globally. Therefore double fortification of salt with iodine and iron could be a reasonable approach to prevent both iodine and iron deficiencies. It is reckoned that about two billion people are iodine‐deficient worldwide. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may affect the health status of both mother and fetus and increase infant mortality. Deficiencies of both these micronutrients during childhood affect somatic growth and cognitive and neurological function. Thyroid metabolism is negatively affected by iron deficiency and reduced effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis in areas of endemic goiter. High prevalence of iron deficiency among children may be reduced by the application of effective iodized salt programs. However, ensuring the stability and bioavailability of both iron and iodine as double‐fortified salt is difficult. Iodine present in iodide or iodate form in dual‐fortified salt is oxidized to free iodine in the presence of ferrous ions and oxygen and consequently loses its characteristics. Moreover, ferrous iron is more bioavailable but is readily oxidized to the less bioavailable ferric form. However, both forms of iron may lead to discoloration of the final product, which can be reduced by providing a physical barrier around the iron. Salt encapsulation is one of the best tools to provide a physical barrier for undesirable reactions and interactions during storage. In this review the concept of dual salt fortification, the impact of fortification on curing various life‐threatening maladies, latest assessments of mineral deficiencies and the choice of fortificants are discussed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry