Making iodine fortification of bread mandatory in Tasmania successfully improved population iodine levels
Iodine is a micronutrient essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Inadequate dietary intake is associated with preventable iodine deficiency disorders, including neurological impairment, goitre, and hypothyroidism. The effectiveness of iodised salt for improving population iodine levels and of urine iodine assessment for detecting deficits have led to iodine deficiency being eliminated in many countries where it was once a problem.1
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Hetzel BS. From iodine deficiency in Papua New Guinea to a global programme of prevention. Int J Epidemiol 2012; 41: 595-598.
- 2. Hynes KL, Seal JA, Otahal P, et al. Iodine adequacy in Tasmania sustained after 7 years of mandatory bread fortification. Med J Aust 2018; 208: 126.
- 3. DePaoli KM, Seal JA, Burgess JR, Taylor R. Improved iodine status in Tasmanian schoolchildren after fortification of bread: a recipe for national success. Med J Aust 2013; 198: 492-494. <MJA full text>
- 4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4364.0.55.006. Australian Health Survey: biomedical results for nutrients, 2011-12. Dec 2013. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4364.0.55.006Chapter1302011-12 (viewed Nov 2017).
- 5. Hynes KL, Otahal P, Hay I, Burgess JR. Mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy is associated with reduced educational outcomes in the offspring: 9-year follow-up of the gestational iodine cohort. J Clin Endocr Metab 2013; 98: 1954-1962.
- 6. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Vitamins and minerals added to food [webpage]. June 2016. http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/nutrition/vitaminadded/Pages/default.aspx (viewed Nov 2017).
- 7. Atta CA, Fiest KM, Frolkis AD, et al. Global birth prevalence of spina bifida by folic acid fortification status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Public Health 2016; 106: e24-e34.
- 8. Vaish S, White M, Daly L, et al. Synthetic folic acid intakes and status in children living in Ireland exposed to voluntary fortification. Am J Clin Nutrition 2016; 103: 512-518.
- 9. Heart Foundation. Phytosterol/stanol enriched foods [position statement] Updated Aug 2017. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/main/Heart_Foundation_Position_Statement_-_Phytosterolstanol_enriched_foods_2017.pdf (viewed Nov 2017).
- 10. Harvey K, Li E, Stanton R, Dashper S. Kids’ vitamin gummies: unhealthy, poorly regulated and exploitative. The Conversation 29 May 2017. https://theconversation.com/kids-vitamin-gummies-unhealthy-poorly-regulated-and-exploitative-76466 (viewed Nov 2017).
- 11. National Health and Medical Research Council. The guidelines [website]. Updated July 2015. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines (viewed Nov 2017).
No relevant disclosures.