Iodised salt alone not sufficient for anemia prevention: Experts

Various efforts are being undertaken by the government and health organisations to address the severe problem of anemia in India. In this context, 'Double Fortified Salt' (DFS), containing both iodine and iron, is being presented as an effective solution. However, according to a report in 'The Hindu', merely adding iron to salt may not provide a complete solution to the problem of anemia. Experts believe that multiple factors are responsible for anemia, which cannot be eliminated through a single supplement.

The primary logic behind using iron-fortified salt is that salt is an indispensable part of every individual's diet, making it an easy vehicle to deliver iron to the masses. However, this convenient approach may prove contradictory from a public health perspective. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against consuming more than five grams of salt per day, whereas Indians consume on average double that amount. Currently, one in every three adults in India suffers from hypertension. Under India's own Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Action Plan, a target has been set to reduce salt intake by 30%. In this situation, policies that encourage salt consumption clash with other public health goals.

According to data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), more than half of the women and nearly two-thirds of young children in India suffer from anemia. These figures demonstrate the severity of the prevalence of anemia in the country. According to experts, a comprehensive approach is needed to understand and eliminate the root causes of anemia, where it is essential to focus on other nutrients and dietary patterns instead of relying solely on salt fortification.

NFHS-5 was the fifth national survey of this series, which presented a detailed picture of the health status of Indian families.