THE government has vowed to take stern measures against manufacturers and distributors of non-iodised salt in the region.
Mtwara Regional Commissioner Colonel Ahmed Abbas has issued the warning here over the weekend, directing District Executive Directors (DEDs) in the region to conduct laboratory tests on all salts used in the region to generate information that will help identify those supplying non-iodised salt in the region.
The RC made the directive based on a report indicating that 72 per cent of households in the region use non-iodised.
Non-iodised salt is often purely sodium chloride, which comes straight from the sea or underground salt deposits.
The number is below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation that requires household access to iodine salt to be 90 per cent.
Col Abbas was speaking during an event to sign nutritional intervention protocol for Mtwara Region.
He said the plan to unearth those distributing non-iodized salt products in the region would help prevent people from possible effects resulting from use of non-iodized salt.
According to WHO, iodised deficiency is most commonly and visibly associated with thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism and goitre.
Other effects on use of non-iodised salt is impaired mental growth in children, reduced intellectual ability and impaired work performance.
Mtwara Regional Nutrition Officer Ms Harriet Kipuyo said Mtwara produces 45,000 tonnes of salt and 14,000 tonnes of the products is reported to be non-iodised.
She said Mtwara Region contains 42 salt production areas with most of them managed by small scale producers.
The Secretary of Mtwara Salt Producers Association Mr Mvita Mshona mentioned lack of exposure to iodation technologies leading to inadequate production of iodized salts in the region.
A policy by Tanzania Food, Drugs and Cosmetics (Iodised Salt) prohibits manufacturers from sale, distributing or store/display salt for Juma or animal consumption unless such salt is iodised in accordance with the regulations.
