Increased Risk of Thyroid Disorders Due to Uncontrolled Iodine Levels in Nepali Salt
Nepal Health News, Kathmandu:Due to the lack of enforcement of a legal provision for nearly three decades, salt with excessive iodine has been widely used in Nepali kitchens, which health experts say has had a serious impact on public health.
A law regulating the amount of iodine in salt was enacted in 1998, but since the implementation date was never specified, salt has been mixed with more iodine than necessary. The government has now announced that this law will be fully enforced starting from the first of Shrawan (mid-July).
Rise in Thyroid-Related Problems
According to Minister of Health and Population Pradeep Paudel, the government is taking immediate steps after it became evident that excessive iodine in salt is rapidly increasing thyroid-related disorders — primarily hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Health expert Dr. Jyoti Bhattarai stated, “In the past, iodine deficiency caused goiter and mental dullness, but now, due to excessive iodine, thyroid-related problems are spreading from rural areas to urban centers.”
According to her, thyroid dysfunction affects both men and women — from reproductive health to physical and mental vitality.
Impact of Legal Delays
Although the government had authorized Salt Trading Corporation to import and distribute iodized salt, iodine is added at processing centers up to 50 PPM (parts per million). By the time it reaches consumers, the iodine level often exceeds the recommended range.
According to a 2022 study published in the journal of the New York Academy of Sciences, 67.2% of salt samples collected from seven districts in Nepal contained iodine levels between 45–75 PPM — higher than the WHO-recommended range of 15–40 PPM.
Need for Balance in Salt Use
Dr. Bhattarai emphasized, “Salt is a basic necessity for health, but its amount must be right. I recommend people consume only about half a teaspoon of salt per day.”
Experts say that just as iodine deficiency is harmful, excessive iodine is equally dangerous to health. It can lead to serious thyroid disorders and cause long-term mental and financial burdens.
Preparing for a New Chapter
The government now plans to strengthen salt distribution through Salt Trading Corporation by mandating iodine testing and proper mixing. Minister Paudel said, “We are now prioritizing this issue and moving forward accordingly.”
Ensuring balanced iodine levels in salt has become essential to reduce the risk of thyroid disorders and to protect public health.
