Estimated contribution of most commonly consumed industrialized processed foods to salt intake and iodine intakes in Sri Lanka

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0257488. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257488. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

In Sri Lanka dietary patterns are shifting towards increased consumption of industrially processed foods (IPF). This study aimed to estimate the contribution of IPF to salt and iodine intake and assess the possible impact of salt reduction on iodized salt intake. The assessment was conducted using guidance published by the Iodine Global Network. National nutrition and household income expenditure surveys were used to estimate adult per capita consumption of household salt and commonly consumed salt-containing IPF. Industry and laboratory data were used to quantify salt content of IPF. Modelling estimated the potential and current iodine intake from consumption of household salt and using iodized salt in the identified IPF. Estimates were adjusted to investigate the likely impact on iodine intake of achieving 30% salt reduction. IPF included were bread, dried fish and biscuits, with daily per capita consumption of 32g, 10g and 7g respectively. Daily intake of household salt was estimated to be 8.5g. Potential average national daily iodine intake if all salt in these products was iodized was 166μg. Estimated current daily iodine intake, based on iodization of 78% of household salt and dried fish being made with non-iodized salt, was 111μg nationally, ranging from 90 to 145μg provincially. Estimated potential and current iodine intakes were above the estimated average requirement of 95μg iodine for adults, however, current intake was below the recommended nutrient intake of 150μg. If the 30% salt reduction target is achieved, estimated current iodine intake from household salt, bread and biscuits could decrease to 78μg. The assessment together with data for iodine status suggest that current iodine intake of adults in Sri Lanka is adequate. Recommendations to sustain with reduced salt intake are to strengthen monitoring of population iodine status and of food industry use of iodized salt, and to adjust the salt iodine levels if needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Food Analysis
  • Food-Processing Industry
  • Humans
  • Iodine / analysis*
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Pregnancy
  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary / analysis*
  • Sri Lanka

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary
  • Iodine

Grants and funding

Initials of the authors who received each award - RJ Grant numbers awarded to each author - Investment ID OPP1195090 The full name of each funder - Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation URL of each funder website - None Did the sponsors or funders play any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript? No The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.