Iodine and Moisture Content of Salt Sold in the Diffun Community Market: Responding to Iodine Deficiency

Angela Mae S. Tomas^{1, 2,} , Kenneth John Babaran¹ and Madeilyn B. Estacio¹

¹Graduate School, University of La Salette, Inc., Santiago City, Philippines

²College of Health Sciences, Quirino State University, Diffun, Quirino, Philippines

Cite this paper:
Angela Mae S. Tomas, Kenneth John Babaran and Madeilyn B. Estacio. Iodine and Moisture Content of Salt Sold in the Diffun Community Market: Responding to Iodine Deficiency. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2026; 14(3):52-57. doi: 10.12691/ajphr-14-3-1

Abstract

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) remains a persistent public health concern in developing countries despite the implementation of universal salt iodization programs including policies such as the Philippine ASIN Law (RA 8172). Variations in salt processing, packaging, and storage may affect iodine stability and compromise program effectiveness. This study assessed the iodine and moisture content of salt sold in the Diffun Community Market, Quirino Province, Philippines, and evaluated their compliance with national iodization standards. A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical design was employed using total enumeration sampling, including 40 salt samples collected from 30 retail vendors. Samples were classified according to texture (refined or rock salt), packaging status (repacked or manufacturer-sealed), and storage conditions (dry/dark or moist/open). Iodine content was determined using WYD iodine testing kit, while moisture content was measured using a digital moisture analyzer. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including t-test, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation at 0.05 level significance. Result showed a mean iodine content of 44.29 ± 28.41 mg/kg, indicating general compliance with ASIN Law standards. However, 22.5% of samples were iodine deficient. Most samples met acceptable moisture limits. Refined salt showed significantly higher iodine content and lower moisture level compared to rock salt (p <0.05). Packaging and storage conditions showed no significant differences, although trends suggested reduced iodine retention in repacked and poorly stored samples. Iodine content was significantly associated with texture (r = -0.483, p= 0.002) and packaging (r = 0.384, p = 0.014). These findings indicate that while compliance is generally achieved, inconsistencies in iodization and handling persist. Strengthening monitoring, improving packaging practices, and enhancing vendor awareness are recommended to ensure consistent iodine intake.

Keywords:
iodine deficiency iodized salt moisture content ASIN Law salt quality Philippines

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	World Health Organization, Guideline on fortification of food-grade salt with iodine for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders, WHO, Geneva, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240065089. [Accessed April 10, 2025].
[2]	United Nations Children’s Fund. Universal Salt Iodization: Global Progress Report, 2019. [Online]. Available: https:// data.unicef.org/ resources/ universal- salt-iodization-global-progress-report-2019/. [Accessed February 23, 2025].
[3]	Republic of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 8172: An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN) and for Related Purposes, Philippines, 1996. [Online]. Available: https:// www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Republic-Act-No.-8172.pdf. [Accessed January 27, 2025].
[4]	Perlas, L., Ulanday, J., Marcos, J., Serafico, M., Desnacido, J., Alibayan, M., Duante, C., Capanzana, M., “Iodine Deficiency Disorder Among Filipino School Children, Pregnant and Lactating Women and the Elderly 20 Years After the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide Law,” Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, North America, 7, Jun. 2017. [Online] Available: <https:// jofem.org/index.php/jofem/article/view/414>. [Accessed January 27, 2026].
[5]	Republic of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 11985: An act Strengthening and Revitalizing the Salt Industry in the Philippines, 2024. [Online]. Available: https:// legacy.senate.gov.ph/ republic_acts/ra%2011985.pdf. [Accessed January 27, 2025].
[6]	Diosady LL, Alberti JO, Ramcharan K, Mannar MGV. “Iodine stability in salt double-fortified with iron and iodine,” Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 23(2):196-207. 2002.
[7]	Chauhan, S. A., Bhatt, A. M., Bhatt, M. P., & Majeethia, K. M., “Stability of iodine in iodized salt used for correction of iodinedeficiency disorders II,” Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 19(Suppl), S98–S103.1998.
[8]	Choudhary, S., Sharma, P., & Gupta, R., “Stability of iodine in fortified salt under different storage and packaging conditions,” Journal of Food Science and Technology, 60(4), 1123–1132. 2023.
[9]	Asare, G. A., Asare-Anane, H., Amegatcher, A. G., & Osei, J. Y., “Quality of iodized salt in Ghana: Retail-level variations and implications for iodine deficiency prevention,” BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1452, 2022.
[10]	Maramag, C. C., Ranchez, J. A., & Ranchez, A. G., “Stability of iodine in salt sold under Philippine market conditions,” Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 19(2), 42–48. 2007.
[11]	Abughoush, M., et at., “Quantitative determination of iodine content in iodized table salt marketed in Jordan as an indicator of compliance with national salt iodization standards: A crosssectional study,” Italian Journal of Food Science, 36(4), 73, 2024.
[12]	Mirete, E. M., Befkadu, D. M., & Hamda, M. G., “Investigation of the effects of heat and light on iodine content of packaged and open salt brands available in Jimma Town, Ethiopia,” Heliyon, 2023.
[13]	Habib, M. A., Chowdhury, A. I., Alam, M. R., & Rahman, T., “Commercially available iodized salts in Bangladesh: iodine content, stability, and consumer satisfaction,” Food Control, 145, Article 109532, 2023.
[14]	Ekott, E. J., & Etukudo, U. I., “Impact of storage on iodine stability of commercial salt brands,” International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, 8(1), 124–129, 2019.
[15]	Nyamari, D., Muriuki, J., & Mwangi, M., “Factors affecting iodine concentration in household salt: A case of moisture and packaging,” African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 20(6), 16546–16559, 2020.
[16]	Hassan, H., “Physiochemical characterization of foodgrade natural spring salt: moisture, mineral composition, and quality parameters,” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 105, 2024.
[17]	Halal Health Journal, “Quality assessment of refined table salts and locally processed salts: moisture content and compliance with standards,” Journal of Halal Health Hygiene & Management, 2024. [Online]. Available: https:// jhhhm.halal.ac.ir/ article_186037. [Accessed January 27, 2025].
[18]	Number Analytics, Moisture control in salt: a guide. 2025. [Online]. ttps:// www.numberanalytics. com/ ultimate-guide-moisture-control-salt-food-safety. [Accessed, July 30, 2025]
[19]	Fallah, S. H., Khalilpour, A., Amouei, A., Rezapour, M., & Tabarinia, H., “Stability of iodine in iodized salt against heat, light, and humidity,” Journal of Health Research and Technology, 6(1), e100098. 2020.