Takoradi, Sept. 28, GNA - Consumption of iodated salt in Ghana has dropped by 30 per cent, Mr. Solomon Agampim, Zonal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in-charge of the Western Region, said on Tuesday. He said 93Consumption of iodated salt in the country is low" and th= at a survey carried by the FDB in markets in the Greater Accra Region in 2007, revealed that 86.4 per cent patronage of the product.

Mr Agampim, who was speaking at day's media sensitization seminar on salt iodation at Takoradi, said a similar survey in 2008 showed the level of patronage of the salt was 95.7 per cent but the figure dropped to 52 per cent in 2010. He said the National Salt Iodation Committee and the United Nations target of 90 per cent plus of Universal Salt Iodization has, not been achieved.

Mr. Agampim said drop in patronage of iodated salt was due to factors, including negative information on the salt in the media and handling and transportation of the product.

Mr. Agampim debunked rumours that the use of iodated salt could have negative health effects. He said branded iodated salt and markets that sell the product should be encouraged publicly.

Mr. Agampim asked the media to promote the use of iodated salt and educate the people on the consequences of iodine deficiency. Mr. Emmanuel Nkrumah, a Regulatory Officer of the FDB, spoke on 93Iod= ine deficiencies disorders and the importance of iodated salt in the human diet".

He said nationwide survey conducted in 27 districts in Ghana revealed that Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) was widespread particularly in the Northern parts of Ghana.

Mr. Nkrumah said 3,847 goiter cases were identified in the survey. He said IDD was a serious problem in Hohoe, Kwahu South, Adansi West, Nkwanta, Zabzugu Talale, East Mamprusi, Bongo, Jirapa and Bole areas. Mr. Nkrumah said the short-term control of IDD was the distribution of iodized oil capsules in endemic areas while the long-term strategy was the use of salt iodization.

Miss Abena Ekufua Esia Donkoh, a Regulatory Officer of the FDB, said any person found guilty under the Food and Drugs Amendment Act, offenders were liable to a conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.