Community trials with iron and iodine fortified salt (Double fortified salt)

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) co-existing in many parts of India, are two major micronutrient deficiency diseases of public health significance. The National Institute of Nutrition has successfully developed the technology of fortification of salt with iodine and iron (DFS). The laboratory-studies have confirmed stability, bioavailability, and bio-effect. Two community-based trials with DFS were carried out for two years, one in a tribal community where IDA and IDD co-exist, followed by the other among children in residential schools. Both these studies revealed the feasibility of large-scale production, distribution and stability of DFS and its acceptability by the community. No untoward effects were observed on consumption of DFS, there by establishing its safety. The consumption of DFS had significant positive impact on iodine nutriture of the community. Although the results on the impact on haemoglobin (Hb) status were not uniform in all the age/sex groups, the DFS supplementation in the residential schools had significant impact in preventing the decline and improving the Hb levels.