“We installed two checkpoints in the gateways of our region. One in Sta Fe, Nueva Vizcaya for those coming in from the National Capital Region and Central Luzon areas, and one in Sta Praxedes, Cagayan for those from the Ilocos Region,” Lonzaga said.
Local government officials, the police, and the agriculture department assigned personnel to man the checkpoint to flag down and check whether all salt shipments were iodized.
“During the early stage of implementation, we have an iodine checker who determines if the salt is fortified with iodine. Now, we use a WYD iodine checker to determine if the salt is adequately iodized. We also thank the Department of Science and Technology because they produced the re-agent needed for the tests,” Lonzaga explained.
Lonzaga said salt is properly iodized if it contains 30 to 70 parts per million of iodine per sample. She said it is vital to ensure that the salts for human consumption are properly iodized.
“If the salts are not iodized or they are not adequately iodized based on the results of the tests, the shipment will be sent back to its origin,” Lonzaga said.