In a recent market survey conducted by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), unsettling findings have emerged regarding widespread non-compliance within the artisanal salt industry.
The survey, conducted in 2023, points fingers particularly at producers of non-prepackaged or unpackaged rock salt, revealing a significant lapse in iodization—a crucial requirement under the law.
The investigation further exposed operational deficiencies in the facilities of most artisanal producers, raising concerns about the overall quality and safety of the salt they produce. The FDA, in response to these revelations, has issued a directive to various stakeholders in the salt supply chain, including artisanal and large-scale producers, importers, transporters, storage facilities, and retailers, urging them to promptly regularize their operations.
This move comes as a preventive measure to safeguard public health, with the FDA citing the potential risk of Iodine deficiency disorders. The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), mandates that all salt-producing and manufacturing facilities must be licensed by the FDA, and all packaged salts must be registered before entering the market.
The FDA emphasized that failure to adhere to the salt iodization provisions outlined in the law will result in prosecution. A press statement from the FDA underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “Non-iodisation of edible salt as required by law constitutes a major violation and is a significant public health concern. Iodine deficiency can result in stillbirths, congenital defects, decreased cognitive capacity, infant mortality, goiter in both humans and animals, etc.”
Section 107 of the Public Health Act explicitly mandates that all salts meant for human and animal consumption must be iodized. The FDA’s statement urged operators of artisanal salt facilities to reach out to the nearest FDA offices in their respective regions and districts for necessary assistance in complying with the regulations.
As the FDA takes a firm stance on ensuring the public’s safety, the industry now faces a critical juncture, with stakeholders compelled to address these issues promptly to prevent potential health hazards associated with iodine deficiency disorders.