Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch | Q. I've heard iodine is so important they're adding it to bread. Why?

Home Expert Advice FAQs - Nutrients you need Q. I've heard iodine is so important they're adding it to bread. Why?

Q. I've heard iodine is so important they're adding it to bread. Why?

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A. As a component of the thyroid hormones, iodine is essential for normal growth, development and metabolism.  Iodine can’t be stored in the body but is essential for growth, physical health and brain function. Insufficient iodine interferes with the brain development in babies and young children resulting in low IQs and goitre. Kids with iodine deficiency suffer poor body movement control, hearing problems, have an IQ 10 to 15 points below normal and are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Inadequate iodine also leads to iodine deficiency disorders such as hypothyroidism, which results in goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck).


fish_sandwich_xsmllFrom October 2009 most Australian bread will contain iodised salt to assist the 43 per cent of Australians who are iodine deficient. Only bread will be fortified to ensure we don’t “overdose” and bread labelled as “organic” will be exempt, as will bread mixes for home baking. Iodised salt won’t alter the colour or taste of bread.

Salt water fish and shell fish together with iodised salt provide Australians with most of their iodine needs. Vegetables and dairy products may make significant contributions depending on how iodine rich the soil is from which they are grown.

 

Recommended dietary intake for iodine per day (NHMRC Australia 2006):

90 mcg for babies, toddlers and young children (0 to 8 years)

120 mcg for schoolchildren (9 to 13 years)

150 mcg for teens (14 to 18 years)

150 mcg for adults (over 19 years)

220 mcg for pregnant women

270 mcg for breastfeeding women.

mcg stands for micrograms which are smaller than milligrams - one-thousandth of a milligram

 

Iodine supplements
During pregnancy the demand for iodine (and other nutrients) is high so an iodine supplement is a good idea. You can't get the increased level even from iodised bread.  Look for special pregnancy tablets or multivitamin supplements that contain between 50 to 150 mcg of iodine.

Foods high in iodine in mcg
1 teasp iodised salt 150
1 carton yoghurt (200g) 127
10 king prawns 45
1 glass milk (250 ml) 38
1 large egg 37
Mackerel, medium serve (120 g) 25
4 sardines canned in oil 14

 

Related reading

bread-arrangementFind out why bread was selected as the vehicle to deliver extra iodine to the population. Around 43 per cent of Australians don't get enough iodine and iodine deficiency has re-emerged as a public health problem.

 

 

 

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