Iodine is an essential micronutrient required daily at 100-150 micrograms for normal human growth and development. Deficiency of iodine can cause physical and mental retardation, cretinism, abortions, stillbirth, deaf mutism, squint & various types of goiter. As per the surveys conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services, Indian Council of Medical Research, Health Institutions and the State Health Directorates, it has been found that out of 414 districts surveyed in all the 29 States and 7 UTs, 337 districts are endemic i.e where the prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) is more than 5% (Annexure-I).

Realizing the magnitude of the problem, the Government of India launched a 100 per cent centrally assisted National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP) in 1962. In August, 1992 the National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP) was renamed as National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) with a view of wide spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders like mental and physical retardation, deaf mutisim, cretinism, still births, abortions etc.. The programme is being implemented in all the States/UTs for entire population.

In the State of Goa, NIDDCP is started under Directorate of Health Services (DHS) with State IDD Cell and IDD Laboratory at DHS Campal, Panaji. Qualitative and Quantitative tests for estimation of Iodine contents in Salt is regularly done at IDD Laboratory by getting Salt samples from household level through all peripheral Health centers.

1. To bring the prevalence of IDD to below 5% in the country
2. To ensure 100% consumption of adequately iodated salt (15ppm) at the household level.

1.Surveys to assess the magnitude of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the districts.
2.Supply of iodated salt in place of common salt.
3.Resurveys to assess iodine deficiency disorders and the impact of iodated salt after every 5 years in the districts.
4.Laboratory monitoring of iodated salt and urinary iodine excretion.
5.Health Education and Publicity.

On the recommendations of Central Council of Health in 1984, the Government took a policy decision to Iodate the entire edible salt in the country by 1992.  The   programme started in April, 1986 in a phased manner.  To date, the annual production of iodated salt in our country is 65 lakh metric tones per annum.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is the nodal Ministry for implementation of National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP).

Financial assistance to all States /UTs for the following:

• Human resource of State IDD Cell i.e Technical Officer, Statistical Asst. & LDC and State IDD monitoring laboratory i.e. Lab Technician & Lab Assistant.
• Health education and publicity activities including global IDD Day activities.
• Conducting district IDD survey/resurvey to assess magnitude of IDD.
• Procurement of salt testing kits by State/UTs for IDD endemic districts for creating awareness at the community level about consumption of iodized salt and monitoring of salt for presence of adequate iodine at household level ( since 2013-14).
• Performance based incentive to ASHA [at] Rs. 25/- per month for conducting 50 salt samples testing by STK at household/community level (since 2013-14).

Under NIDDCP financial assistance is also being provided to Salt Commissioner’s Office, Jaipur, (M/o Industries) which is responsible for promoting production of iodated salt, monitoring, distribution and quality control of Iodated salt at the production level through nine quality control laboratories.

As per NFHS (National Family Health Survey, India) Goa has achieved 98.0 % in using Adequately Iodized salt at Household level in year 2019-2020.

Salt testing report for the financial year 2022-23 by titration method

• The consumption of adequately iodated salt at household level has been increased from 51.1% (as per NFHS III report 2005-06) to 71.1% (as per CES report, 2009).
• Regulation 2.3.12 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales), Regulation, 2011 restricts the sale of common salt for direct human consumption unless the same is iodized.
• National Reference Laboratory for monitoring of IDD has been set up at NCDC, Delhi. Four Regional laboratories one each at NIN, Hyderabad, AIIH&PH, Kolkata, AIIMS and NCDC, Delhi have been set up to conduct training, monitoring, quality control of salt and urine testing.
• For effective implementation of NIDDCP 35 States/UTs have established IDD Control Cells in their State Health Directorate. 35 States/UTs have set up State IDD monitoring laboratories in their respective States/UTs.
• Extensive IEC activities have been carried out to create awareness about the regular consumption of iodated salt in prevention and control of IDD through Doordarshan, All India Radio, Directorate of Field Publicity, Song and Drama, Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.
• States/UTs have been conducting laboratory monitoring of salt and urine to estimate iodine content and urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and also quality of iodated salt at household/community level. In the year 2015-16, a total of 51163 salt samples and 15320 urine samples were analysed /tested by States/UTs and the results have indicated that the iodine content of salt samples up to the standard (iodine content > 15ppm) was in the range of 52 % to 100 % and UIE (optimal) >100 µg/l was in the range of 49 % to 100 %. A total of 5048528 salt samples at community/household level were tested by Salt Testing Kit (STK) and the consumption of adequately iodated salt was in the range of 56 % to 100 %

Statement showing the number of districts surveyed and found to be endemic for Goitre in States/UTs

(As per data up to the year 2015-16)

Statement showing establishment of State IDD Cell & IDD Monitoring Laboratory

• National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Programme