[Iodine prophylaxis legislation in Italy]

Abstract

Italian laws allow production and selling of iodized salt but this is still consumed on a voluntary basis. Thus, the use of iodized salt amounts to 3% of the used salt. Selling iodized salt instead of common salt would be the most effective iodine prophylaxis method. The Consiglio Superiore di Sanità has recently voted a document which asks the authorities to make the selling of iodized salt compulsory. Selling common salt to the people who explicitly ask for it could be a good alternative to the compulsory prophylaxis. The food education campaign promoted by the Italian Ministry of Health could provide an important contribution for the success of the iodine prophylaxis.