Where is the Iodine?

The U.S. population should not rely on salt to provide enough iodine, according to the first survey of iodized salt from U.S. homes. More than half of 88 iodized salt samples analyzed contained less than the amount of iodine recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results, by chemist Sandy Dasgupta at the University of Texas Arlington and colleagues, have implications for pregnant and nursing women as well as for children. At a meeting organized by World Health Organization, participants agreed that promoting iodized salt does not conflict with recommending reduced salt intake. "Everyone agrees salt intakes should be 5 grams a day or less, but all salt consumed should be iodized," says Zimmermann.