Australia And NZ Iodine Ruling

All Australian and New Zealand bread products must now be fortified with iodine following a government ruling.

The ruling, made by the joint food regulatory body Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), was passed following the publication of research which indicated diets in both countries were lacking in iodine.

Iodine is important for the development of foetal brains. In adults a lack of iodine can damage the thyroid gland and metabolic processes. It can also affect the maintenance of body temperature.

The ruling, which came into force on October 9 for Australia and September 27 for New Zealand, requires the replacement of regular salt in bread with between 25 and 65mg of iodised salt, but organic bread is exempt.