Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Iodised Salt shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Iodised Salt offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Iodised Salt at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Iodised Salt? Wrong! If the Iodised Salt is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Iodised Salt then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Iodised Salt? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Iodised Salt and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Iodised Salt wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Iodised Salt then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Iodised Salt site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Iodised Salt, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Iodised Salt, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
Iodised salt (
American English:
iodized salt), table salt mixed with a minute amount of sodium iodide or sodium iodate, is used to help reduce the chance of iodine deficiency in humans. Iodine deficiency commonly leads to
thyroid gland problems, specifically endemic Goitre. Endemic goiter is a disease characterized by a swelling of the thyroid gland, usually resulting in a bulbous protrusion on the neck. While only tiny quantities of iodine are required in a
diet (nutrition) to prevent goiter, the United States
Food and Drug Administration recommends (21 CFR 101.9 (c)(8)(iv)) 150 microgrammes of iodine per day for both men and women, and there are many places around the world where natural levels of iodine in the soil are low and the iodine is not taken up by vegetables.
Today, iodized salt is more common in the United States,
Australia and New Zealand than in
UK.
United States
In the U.S. in the early 20th century, goiter was especially prevalent in the region around the
Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest. Goiter began receiving serious attention as a result of the World War I draft pointing to the problem in Northern
Michigan and Wisconsin. At this time, many men were disqualified from military service as a result of the public health problem. This raised questions beyond the ability of these men to serve in the war. Many asked: if they could not do this, how useful were they in everyday civilian life?Markel,
When in Rains it Pours, p. 220
David Murray Cowie pioneered the salt iodation process in America. A professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan, Cowie was concerned about the widespread problem of goiter in Michigan (nicknamed the "goiter belt" of America). Aware of the Swiss process of adding
sodium iodide or potassium iodide to table and cooking salt, Cowie decided that a simple way to address the problem of iodine deficiency would be to merely implement the Swiss solution in America. He had noted that adding iodine to aquatic environments in the Pacific Northwest seemed to decrease the incidence of goiter among fish species. Public opinion also supported his effort in that "important discoveries of vitamins and their roles in food nutrition" were happening during the period. Cowie appealed to the Michigan State Medical Society, a "productive group which concerned itself with the search for answers to difficult medical questions pertaining to the health of the state's residents".Markel,
When in Rains it Pours, p. 222
Incorporating iodine into a regular diet would not be an easy process; the salt producers of America had to be persuaded to incorporate sodium iodide into their production process. It was difficult to prove that people who consumed iodized salt were better protected from simple goiter, a difficulty that contributed to resistance to the movement. Cowie and the Michigan State Medical Society turned to the Michigan Salt Producer's Association in 1923. Soon, an iodized salt committee was formed. After several months of meetings and deliberations with physicians and educators, the Executive Council of the Michigan State Medical Society gave Cowie the authority to endorse and implement the production of iodized salt, and the Michigan salt producers agreed to begin producing iodized table salt with labels reading "contains .01 per cent sodium iodide".Markel,
When in Rains it Pours, p. 219-224
On May 1, 1924, iodized salt by Diamond Crystal Salt, Mulkey Salt, Inland Delray Salt, Michigan Salt Works, and Ruggles and Rademaker appeared on Michigan grocers' shelves. By the fall of 1924, Morton Salt Company began distributing iodized salt nationally.
Cowie's efforts to improve the public health environment necessitated broad cooperation. Cowie gained support from the medical board and market support from the Michigan Salt Producers Association, and with this scientific backing, the general public accepted the change. Through this process, we have an early example of an optimal default being created in the field of public health. Cowie's efforts also added a new focus on prevention as well as the advancement and improvement of social and industrial lives as it became more prevalent during the Progressive era, rather than on merely curing diseases. It was also highlighted by a larger focus on vitamins and in general the possibility of supplementing foods as a way to solve health problems.
See also
Notes
References
- Markel, Howard. (1987) When It Rains It Pours: Endemic Goiter, Iodized Salt, and David Murray Cowie MD. American Journal of Public Health, vol. 77 , pp. 219-229.
- 21 CFR 101.9 (c)(8)(iv) ( Text PDF)
External links
- Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency
- NY Times article about program to iodize salt in Kazahkstan
Iodised salt (
American English:
iodized salt),
table salt mixed with a minute amount of sodium iodide or sodium iodate, is used to help reduce the chance of iodine deficiency in humans. Iodine deficiency commonly leads to
thyroid gland problems, specifically endemic Goitre. Endemic goiter is a disease characterized by a swelling of the thyroid gland, usually resulting in a bulbous protrusion on the neck. While only tiny quantities of iodine are required in a
diet (nutrition) to prevent goiter, the United States Food and Drug Administration recommends (21 CFR 101.9 (c)(8)(iv)) 150 microgrammes of iodine per day for both men and women, and there are many places around the world where natural levels of iodine in the soil are low and the iodine is not taken up by vegetables.
Today, iodized salt is more common in the United States, Australia and
New Zealand than in
UK.
United States
In the U.S. in the early 20th century, goiter was especially prevalent in the region around the Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest. Goiter began receiving serious attention as a result of the World War I draft pointing to the problem in Northern
Michigan and Wisconsin. At this time, many men were disqualified from military service as a result of the public health problem. This raised questions beyond the ability of these men to serve in the war. Many asked: if they could not do this, how useful were they in everyday civilian life?Markel,
When in Rains it Pours, p. 220
David Murray Cowie pioneered the salt iodation process in America. A professor of
pediatrics at the University of Michigan, Cowie was concerned about the widespread problem of goiter in Michigan (nicknamed the "goiter belt" of America). Aware of the Swiss process of adding
sodium iodide or potassium iodide to table and cooking salt, Cowie decided that a simple way to address the problem of iodine deficiency would be to merely implement the Swiss solution in America. He had noted that adding iodine to aquatic environments in the Pacific Northwest seemed to decrease the incidence of goiter among fish species. Public opinion also supported his effort in that "important discoveries of vitamins and their roles in food nutrition" were happening during the period. Cowie appealed to the Michigan State Medical Society, a "productive group which concerned itself with the search for answers to difficult medical questions pertaining to the health of the state's residents".Markel,
When in Rains it Pours, p. 222
Incorporating iodine into a regular diet would not be an easy process; the salt producers of America had to be persuaded to incorporate sodium iodide into their production process. It was difficult to prove that people who consumed iodized salt were better protected from simple goiter, a difficulty that contributed to resistance to the movement. Cowie and the Michigan State Medical Society turned to the Michigan Salt Producer's Association in 1923. Soon, an iodized salt committee was formed. After several months of meetings and deliberations with physicians and educators, the Executive Council of the Michigan State Medical Society gave Cowie the authority to endorse and implement the production of iodized salt, and the Michigan salt producers agreed to begin producing iodized table salt with labels reading "contains .01 per cent sodium iodide".Markel,
When in Rains it Pours, p. 219-224
On May 1, 1924, iodized salt by Diamond Crystal Salt, Mulkey Salt, Inland Delray Salt, Michigan Salt Works, and Ruggles and Rademaker appeared on Michigan grocers' shelves. By the fall of 1924,
Morton Salt Company began distributing iodized salt nationally.
Cowie's efforts to improve the public health environment necessitated broad cooperation. Cowie gained support from the medical board and market support from the Michigan Salt Producers Association, and with this scientific backing, the general public accepted the change. Through this process, we have an early example of an optimal default being created in the field of public health. Cowie's efforts also added a new focus on prevention as well as the advancement and improvement of social and industrial lives as it became more prevalent during the Progressive era, rather than on merely curing diseases. It was also highlighted by a larger focus on vitamins and in general the possibility of supplementing foods as a way to solve health problems.
See also
- History of salt
- Basil Hetzel
- Enriched flour serves an analogous function to "enriched salt."
- Water fluoridation, a similar but much more controversial public health intervention
- Iodine is a trace element, to which vitamins may be compared.
Notes
References
- Markel, Howard. (1987) When It Rains It Pours: Endemic Goiter, Iodized Salt, and David Murray Cowie MD. American Journal of Public Health, vol. 77 , pp. 219-229.
- 21 CFR 101.9 (c)(8)(iv) ( Text PDF)
External links
- Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency
- NY Times article about program to iodize salt in Kazahkstan
