Iodine content in dietary salt available at retail outlets in Gran San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina (May 2022)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the iodization quality of food-grade salt available at retail outlets in neighborhoods of Gran San
Salvador de Jujuy (GSSJ). To do so, a descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted, involving the acquisition of salt samples
from 47 urban areas within the GSSJ during May 2022. The iodine in salt was determined by titration with sodium thiosulfate,
following the reference value established by Law 17,259/69 (all salt must be iodized within a range of one part iodine per 30,000
parts of salt ± 25 % = 24.7–41.2 ppm). The results showed that the iodine level in the salt samples were 24.5 ± 9.4 ppm (mean ±
standard deviation), median 26.1 ppm, 0 to 42.5 ppm (range), and 95 % CI of 21.8–27.2 ppm. Only 53.2 % of the samples were
correctly iodinated, 40.4 % contained iodine, but insufficiently, 4.3 % were not iodinated, and 2.1 % were in marginal excess,
with similar distribution across all categories of UBN/urbanization (p=NS). Only 45.0 % of the regional packaged salts met the
adequate iodine level, a highly significant difference compared to the non-regional ones (p=0.0077). In conclusion, in the GSSJ retail
market, almost half of the products need to optimize their level of iodization, which is why it is necessary to combine the efforts
of all relevant actors in the face of the imperative need to comply not only with the regulations and reference parameters but,
fundamentally, with the contribution of this key nutrient to cover the daily requirements of the population.