The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to stop the consumption of non-iodine salt.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, the Director of Public Affairs of the agency gave the advice in an interview with the newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that the cunsumption of non -iodine salt is dangerous to human health responding to the rumour that people in the rural communities were still consuming the local salt, which was not processed.
Dr.Abubakar said that the consumption of such local salt could lead to goiter and other dangerous diseases to human health and called on Nigerians to do away with the product.
According to the director, there are four areas in Nigeria where traditional salt is still being traded, particularly in Nasarawa state.
He said NAFDAC is making an effort to stop the trading of this salt in these state but some of them have refused. and the organisation of sensitisation workshop on universal salt iodination has been formulated.
They have told NAFDAC as at that time that if they must leave the trade, what they will be trading on must be provided for them the director disclosed.
He, however, called on those who are still trading and consuming non-iodine salt in Nasarawa to stop it, adding that such an act was capable of bringing setback to the country.
He stated that a campaign was raised against the issue which was held in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, in 2004 under late Professor Dora Akunyili as the Director-General of the agency which result Nigeria as the universal salt iodisation compliance in Turkey and also won numerous awards in that regards.