TABLE OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION CONCERNING IODISATION OF SALT IN THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

TABLE OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION CONCERNING IODISATION OF SALT IN THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIESLast update:18 May 2015. Updates are in red.Member State/Europeancountry(Member States inblue)Situation in the country (iodisation of salt is mandatory by law, is forbidden by law, no specific rule/legislation exists, guidelines are in place, best practices have been agreed by operators.)

AustriaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory.

Whereas, the iodization of salt is mandatory by law for salt sold as such (15-20 mg/kg using iodide or iodate).On the packaging, the indication jodiert, meaning that iodide or iodate has been added, is a requirement; as well as the specification iodide or iodate. Only on explicit request, salt without containing any iodide or iodate can be sold from the manufacturer or importer to resellers or consumers; and only if packaging contain the clearly legible indication unjodiert, meaning without any iodide or iodate a manufacturer or importer is allowed to place salt without any iodide or iodate on the market.

BelgiumThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory.

In Belgium, the bakery federations encourage their members to systematically use iodised salt:http://health.belgium.be/eportal/Myhealth/Food/FoodandHealthPlan2/SALT/Menu/Iodizedsalt/17330533_FR?fodnlang=fr#.VVm1v00cS70

Bosnia and Herzegovina / MazedoniaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is mandatory

BulgariaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

Cyprus

CroatiaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is mandatory

Czech RepublicIodisation of salt is not mandatory.

The national federation had a meeting with their authorities (including the control authorities) in which iodised salt was discussed.According to the position of our ministry the term iodised salt has the same meaning as salt with iodine for the consumer. According to the Czech legislation the iodised salt should be called "edible salt with iodine". If the salt is used in a composite product it must be labeled as such in the list of ingredients and information must be accompanied by a form of iodine used. The same approach applies to a mineral salt - it is necessary to explain the word "mineral" and depends on whether the salt was fortified or if it usually contains minerals. In any case, it should be specified because it is an ingredient.

DenmarkThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory.

Estonia

FinlandThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory.However, on February 2015 The Finnish Nutrition Council gave a recommendation to use ionized salt in food industry. The council recommends that the bakery industry should start to use ionized salt in the first line. The content of iodine in salt should be 25 g/g. Ionized salt has to be labelled according to Finnish food safety authority.

FranceIodine fortification is strictly limited to table and cooking salt (15 to 20mg iodine / kg salt).

The iodisation of salt is done by salt producers, on a voluntary basis.

The use of iodised salt by food companies in food products is not allowed on the French market.

The use of iodised salt in catering is voluntary.

Rule:Arrt du 24 avril 2007 relatif aux substances d'apport nutritionnel pouvant tre utilises pour la supplmentation des sels destins l'alimentation humaine

GermanyOn the iodisation of salt the situation in Germany is:

-It is voluntary;-Iodised salt may be added to composite foods;-Whereas before FIC one could just label iodised salt in the ingredients list as long as the ingredient was under 2 %, because it was an ingredient the composition of which had been regulated in the sense of Article one, now has to indicate either both (iodised salt and its ingredients salt and the iodate) or just those 2 ingredients as such;-Companies would prefer to have a provision in FIC that would allow for the simple indication iodised salt in the ingredients list.

GreeceThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

HungaryThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

IrelandThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

ItalyThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

KosovoThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is mandatory

Latvia

LithuaniaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

LuxembourgThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

Malta

The NetherlandsThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

NorwayThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

PolandThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

PortugalThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

RomaniaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory, excepting bread & bakery sector.

Serbia and MontenegroThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is mandatory

SlovakiaThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

SloveniaIodisation of salt is mandatory by law.

There are some exceptions in food production, where non-iodised salt can be used (dry meat products, cheese production).

New legislative act is in preparation there will be a mandatory statement on the labels of non-iodised salt, sold to the final consumers. This legislative act will be published in the national OJ before summer.

So far, salt is being declared as salt or as table salt in the list of ingredients in processed foods.

SpainThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

SwedenThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

There is no legislation on the matter. The National Food Agency however recommends individuals as well as industry operators to use iodised salt.

SwitzerlandThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory

United KingdomThe use of iodised salt in processed foods is not mandatory. Iodine can be added to food voluntarily in the UK and it is the responsibility of the manufacturer, retailer or importer to ensure that they comply with the law.