Himalayan pink salt: iodine, colorants research and labeling evaluation

• Autor(a) principal: Mello, Marcia Regina Pennacino do Amaral
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Barbosa, Jamila, Dias, Nelson Aranha, Martins , Roberta Franceze Paiva, Rodrigues , Regina Sorrentino Minazzi
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Vigilância Sanitária em Debate
• Texto Completo: https://visaemdebate.incqs.fiocruz.br/index.php/visaemdebate/article/view/1994
• topic: Cloreto de Sódio; Iodação; Legislação; Deficiência de Iodo; Vigilância Sanitária; Sodium Chloride; Iodination; Legislation; Iodine Deficiency

Introduction: Himalayan pink salt has stood out in the Brazilian market for its attractive colors, in addition to appeals to the consumer that highlight it as a “more natural” product and with a great diversity of minerals as it is a rock salt. The iodine content in pink salt consumed in the country is still little discussed, but vital to keep Iodine Deficiency Disorders (DDIs) under control. Objective: Evaluate Himalayan pink salt samples for iodine contents,presence of artificial colorants and labeling. Method: Seventy-one samples from thirteen cities of the São Paulo State were analyzed for determination of iodine added as iodate, qualitative testing colorants, and labeling evaluation based on Brazilian legislation. Results: A high rate of unsatisfactory iodine content was found (56%), even higher in salts sold in bulk (74%). It was found that among the unsatisfactory samples, the highest percentage of inadequacy (28%) was the absence of iodine, exposing the consumers of this product at risk for DDIs. The mostfrequent labeling irregularity was the absence of iodine declaration (46%), with contradictions between label declaration and effective presence evaluated analytically. Unforeseen (27%) or superlative (14%) quality expressions were verified, as well as claims not supported by scientificstudies, such as 60% reduction in sodium and presence of 84 minerals. No sample showed colorants addition. Conclusions: Himalayan pink salt samples analyzed showed important irregularities for health of the population, especially regarding the iodine content, but also labeling inaccuracies that compromise access to correct information about the product.