Decision No. 102 /MoH on Iodized Salt Standards

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity ===000=== Ministry of Health No. 102 /MoH Vientiane Capital, dated 21 January 2004 DECISION ON IODIZED SALT STANDARD Pursuant to the Prime-Minister decree No. 42/NA, dated 20 June 1995; Pursuant to the Prime-Minister Regulation No 020/PM, dated March 9, 1999 on the structure and function of the Ministry of Health; Pursuant to the real status, surveillance of Iodine deficiency in past years, the technical agreement between Food and Drug Department, Department of Hygiene-Prevention and Food and drug Quality Control Canter. The Minister of Public Health issues the Decision on the standard of Iodized Salt as follows: Part I General Principles Article 1: Objective and outputs 1.1 Objective To control the quality of iodized salt produced, imported and distributed in Lao PDR in order to comply with the standard specified by the Ministry of Health, to promote, and for consumer’s health protection. 1.2 Outputs The consumer should receive iodized salt which of good quality and standard, in order to eradicate iodine deficiency disorder. Article 2: Definitions: Iodized salt means processed salt products from general salt (including boiled salt and dried salt mixed with potassium iodate. Part II Iodized Salt Standard Article 3: Iodized Salt Standard Iodized salt should be mixed according to the following standard: 3.1 iodized salt should contain potassium or sodium iodate according to the following measures: a. not less than 35 mg potassium or sodium iodate per 1 kg salt, 1 2 b. not more than 100 mg potassium or sodium iodate per 1 kg salt, 3.2 Iodized salt has the characteristic of hard cubic or white powder, should not be contaminated with ash, dust, sand, stone or foreign matter and should have following characteristics: 3.2.1 Moisture not more than 4% w/w 3.2.2 Insoluble matter not more than 1% w/w 3.2.3 Soluble matter (except NaCL) not more than 3% w/w 3.2.4 Sodium chloride (NaCL) not less than 96% w/w 3.2.5 Iodine in between 40 to 60 ppm at production site and borders; not less than 20 ppm at point of sale places and household; 3.2.6 Heavy metal contaminants not more than: As 0, 5 mg/kg Cu 2mg/kg Pb 2mg/kg Cd 0,5 mg/kg Hg 0, 1 mg/kg Article 4: Filling and Packaging Iodized salt should be filled and packed with plastic bags according to the required standard of sizes as appropriate such as: 500g, 1 kg and avoid big volume of packaging to maintain the quality of salt according to article 3 above. Article 5: labeling The labelling of the packaging of iodized salt should display, as a minimum, the relevant content in Lao or English as follow: 1. Name: Iodized salt, 2. Name of producer or manufacturer and approved trade mark ; 3. Registration number issued by Food and Drug Department; 4. Lot number and manufacturing date; 5. Weight; 6. Iodine content (ppm or mg/kg); Article 6: Storage and transportation Iodized salt should be stored in the following conditions: Dry area, good ventilation system; Do not store near an oven or under the sun; Avoid damp; no contact with water or rain; No dust or chemical contamination. Part III Prohibition Article 7: Prohibitions. The production, import-export, sale and distribution of salt which does not comply with the requirement specified in part II article 3,4,5 and 6 of this decision is prohibited. 3 Article 8: Rewards Individuals, companies or organization implementing this decision diligently shall be adequately rewarded and privileged with treatment determined by the government. Article 9: Measures towards violators Individuals or organizations, producers, importers and merchants that violate this decision shall be educated, warned, fined and punished, depending on the gravity of the case as follows: 9.1. 1st violation: Educate, warn and record in the file 9.2 2nd violation: seize goods and fine10% of the value of the goods according to the market price and record in the file 9.3 3rd Violation: Seize goods and fine twice the value of the goods according to the market price, record in the file or/and collaborate with and submit to the concerned authority for the temporary suspension or closure of the business depending on the case. Part IV Final provisions Article 10: Implementation The Food and Drug Department, Department of Hygiene and prevention and concerned organizations shall do the necessary to implement this regulation in order to make it effective. Article 11: Effectiveness The decision on the iodized salt standard is effective from the date of signature. This decision replaces the standard of iodized salt no 1029/MOH, dated 09/06/1995 Minister of Health H.E. Ponemek DARALOY