Dissemination Workshop on Iodized Salt Act, 2021 Held in Rajshahi

A workshop titled "Dissemination Workshop on Iodized Salt Act, 2021" was held on November 17, 2024, at the conference room of the BSCIC Regional Office in Rajshahi. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) with support from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Ashraf Uddin Ahmad Khan, Chairman of BSCIC, who was the chief guest. The session was chaired by Ms. Afia Akter, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Rajshahi, and Mr. Md. Rezaul Alam Sarkar, Additional Divisional Commissioner and former Regional Director of BSCIC in Rajshahi, served as the special guest.

Mr. Sarwar Hossain, Head of the Salt Cell at BSCIC, and Mr. Mohammad Rofiqul Islam, Deputy General Manager of BSCIC Rajshahi, were also present. The workshop was attended by the heads of 16 districts of BSCIC in the Rajshahi region, as well as representatives from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Safe Food Authority, National Consumer Rights Protection Department, Department of Fisheries and Livestock, and various government and non-governmental organizations, alongside media representatives.

Mr. Sarwar Hossain presented on the Iodized Salt Act-2021, followed by a video documentary highlighting the importance of iodine. Around 60 participants, including government and private sector officials, salt traders, consumers, and media personnel, participated in the event.

Iodine is a vital nutrient for physical and mental development, with deficiency leading to issues like goiter, stunted growth, and intellectual impairments. The government initiated the universal iodized salt production program in 1990 under the Ministry of Industry, which has greatly reduced iodine deficiency. As a result, 76% of families in Bangladesh now use iodized salt, and visible goiter cases have been eliminated. Iodine deficiency has decreased from 68.9% in 1993 to 24.6% in 2019-2020. However, further awareness and efforts are needed to increase the use of iodized salt across the population. This workshop aimed to promote awareness and encourage the continued use of iodized salt.