Assessment of iodine content in iodized salt consumed by residents in Fengjie County from 2004 to 2008.

Objective To evaluate the quality of iodized salt consumed by residents living in Fengjie County, so as to provide scientific evidence for the prevention of iodine deficiency disease. Method Sampling and iodine measurement were performed according to Chongqing Municipal Iodized Salt Monitoring Program. Result 800 samples of edible salts were examined between 2004 and 2008. The mean iodine content was 30.75 mg / kg and the coefficient of variation was 21.06. There was a significant decrease in iodine content (F=13.755,P0.05) and the decrease was in a linear relationship (R=0.12, P0.05). Coverage rate of iodized salt, rate of qualified iodized salt,rate of consumption of qualified and non-qualified iodized salt was 99.39% ,94.69% ,94.11% and 0.61% , respectively. Conclusion The rate of consumption of qualified iodized salt by residents living in Chongqing was above 90%. Government adopting a positive attitude towards the monitoring of iodized salt is required to achieve the goal of long term sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.