The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Only a slender gap between demand and production of iodised salt”

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Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Only a slender gap between demand and production of iodised salt”

Special Correspondent

VELLORE: There is only a slender gap between demand and production of iodised salt in India, according to T. Sivakumar, Field Publicity Officer, Vellore.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Iodine Content and Salt’, organised jointly by the Field Publicity Office, Vellore, office of the Deputy Director of Health Services, Vellore and the Government College of Education here on Friday, Mr. Sivakumar said that while the country’s iodised salt requirement was 55 lakh tonnes, the production was 50 lakh tonnes. Gujarat accounts for 71 per cent of the salt production in the country and Tamil Nadu for 16 per cent, standing second in salt production. Tamil Nadu produces eight lakh tonnes of iodised salt in 2006, he said.

K. Gopalarathinam, District Entomologist, said that iodine content was necessary not only for human beings but also for animals, since adequate iodine content is needed for production of milk, meat and wool.

Raja Sivanandam, Deputy Director of Medical Services (Tuberculosis) distributed prizes to the students of the Government College of Education who won the quiz and oratorical competitions conducted on the topic of iodised salt.

He said that women, especially pregnant women, required more iodine content than men.

Iodine deficiency among pregnant women would lead to the birth of children with stunted growth. Iodine was also necessary for sharp intellect and an active mind and body, he said.

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