Not enough spice in salt law.

(From Manila Standard)

Seven years after ASIN Law (RA 8172 or an Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide) was enacted, a mere 22 percent of the Philippine population uses iodized salt.

The ASIN Law is being poorly implemented, says a report by the University of the Philippines on the implementation of child-related laws in Camarines Norte, Pangasinan, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental. The study was commissioned by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).

"Lack of iodine is still the world's greatest cause of mental retardation," says Terrel Hill, Unicef country representative in the Philippines.

"Even mild iodine deficiency can cause less severe but significant mental and physical retardation. Iodine deficiency also affects intelligence, and can shift the bell curve of a population by as much as 13 IQ points. Unicef, together with governments, salt producers and Kiwanis International, are working to eliminate iodine deficiency through the universal iodization of salt," Hill says.

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 36 percent of Filipino children suffer from moderate iodine deficiency disorders, while 12 percent have severe iodine deficiency disorders.

The ASIN Law requires that all salt for human consumption should be iodized, and mandates all salt traders to make iodized salt available. However, problem in production, political will, coordination and monitoring ...