CSIR-CSMCRI DOUBLE FORTIFIED SALT

AND FORTIFYING AGENT

Technology on the Anvil

Abstract
CSIR-CSMCRI has developed an innovative process for fortification of salt with iodine
and iron using inorganic matrix compound. This inventive process helps in retaining
the white colour of the salt and preserving the effective concentration of iodine and
iron intact over a long period of time for an extended shelf-life with excellent
stability and bio-availability with additional nominal cost.

J R Chunawala
jrchunawala@csmcri.res.in
Iron and iodine are essential elements for the human body. Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and iron
deficiency anaemia (IDA) are caused by insufficient intake of iodine and iron, respectively. These have
serious detrimental effects on human physiology and eventually adversely contribute to the economic
and social development of entire populations. Globally 1.88 billion people are at risk of Iodine
deficiency disorders (IDD) due to insufficient iodine intake and 2 billion people suffer from iron
deficiency. As per the National Family Health Survey, India (NFHS-3) report 24% men, 56% women and
more than 50% children in 10 states are anaemic.
Edible salt has been identified as a medium to supply the needed iodine and iron to the human body.
However, double fortification of salt with iron (added in the form of FeSO4) and iodine (as Potassium
iodate (KIO3)) involves some problems: (i) when iron and iodine are both added to the salt, iodine is
converted to elemental iodine, which is partially lost through evaporation, and (ii) unpleasant taste
and colour (brown or rust colour) due to the conversion of iron from ferrous to ferric state.
Different types of DFS have been produced by different agencies, with each formulation using a slightly
different methodological and compositional approach. National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has
promoted the technology of double fortification of common salt with iodine and iron using ferrous
sulphate and sodium hexametaphosphate. The Micronutrient Initiative (MI) employed DFS
formulation using physical separation of iodine by microencapsulation. FSSAI has enlisted and
provided standards for these two technologies. These technologies, however, do suffer from
parameters such as food coloration, bio-availability and stability.
CSIR-CSMCRI has developed an innovative process for fortification of salt with iodine and iron using
inorganic matrix compound. This inventive process helps in retaining the white colour of the salt and
preserving the effective concentration of iodine and iron intact over a long period of time for an
extended shelf-life. Novel iron and iodine fortification has been achieved using judiciously modified
synthetic hydrotalcite (Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3.4H2O). Appropriate admixture of two modified hydrotalcites
(e.g. [Mg4.3 Fe(III)(OH)1o.6][C03]o.5 .3H20 and [Mg4.5 Al2(OH)16] [C03]o.65 [I03]o.12 .3H20) are mixed with
edible salt to obtain DFS having 1000 ppm of Fe and 30-35 ppm of iodine. The production cost of salt
contain DFS ingredients as prepared above may be Rs 2/kg higher than salt without the
micronutrients. Process has been scaled up and optimized for preparation of the fortifying agents.
The significant aspects of CSIR-CSMCRI’s double fortified salt:
 Fortified with iron in form of Fe3+ which is more stable form of iron and white in colour.
 The stability of Fe3+ and that of iodine are excellent.
 The free flow ability and aesthetic appearance are excellent.
 The process is cost effective.
 The additional nutrition that one gets out of this salt is magnesium. Magnesium is very
important nutrient in the body that helps in preventing mellitus diabetes.
Stability: The nutrients are found to be stable even under extreme atmospheric and high temperature
cooking conditions. Studies with DFS over a period of 5 years reveal no loss of iodine or iron. No change
in colour of the DFS is noticed over this period. Feedback was obtained from the Salt Department,
Govt. of India regarding the stability of the iron and iodine double fortified salt developed by the
institute. CSIR-CSMCRI DFS incorporated into various foods (chapatti, dal, sambar rice, vegetable
salad, potato and brinjal) witnessed no change in the organoleptic properties.

Updated on 18th January 2019

Toxicity Study: Studies with DFS was carried out on mice. LD50 value of DFS was found to be more
than 5000mg/kg. This reveals that DFS is non-toxic to mice.
In-vitro and in-vivo study: Bioavailability of iron and iodine was estimated in-vitro condition and was
found positive on the basis of solubility under physical and chemical conditions found in the stomach:
i.e. @ 37°C, and 1 N HCl.
The in-vivo animal (wistar rats) bioavailability study for DFS has been carried out in collaboration with
Government Medical College (GMC), Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The results indicate that the bio-availability
of iron contained in DFS is higher than the other conventional iron fortified iodized salt.
Relevant data of in-vivo studies with wistar rats are provided:
Changes in rat hemoglobin and R.B.C. during repletion in DFS, IFS and common salt group
Mean Mean
Hb after Hb after R.B.C. after R.B.C. after
increment in increment in
Group depletion repletion depletion repletion
the level of the level of
period period period period
Hb R.B.C.
Common
13.2 ± 0.8 13.8 ± 0.4 0.6 6.80 ± 0.38 7.51 ± 0.3 0.59
salt
IFS 11.7 ± 0.7 14.3 ± 0.3 2.35 6.36 ± 0.4 7.37 ± 0.8 1.00
DFS 12.8 ± 0.8 15.5 ± 2.5 2.15 6.85 ± 0.54 8.42 ± 0.7 1.57
DFS (long
13.3 ± 0.4 15.9 ± 2.6 1.75 6.71 ± 0.25 8.56 ± 1.9 1.85
term)
[Data are expressed in mean ± SD (Standard deviation)]
One month trial with CSMCRI-DFS has been conducted for 12 healthy male/female as suggested by
Human Ethics Committee and results revealed that the DFS is an effective nutrient for iodine and iron
without any side effects. Further, we have conducted recently (during 2017-18) the community-based
comparative trial at the behest of Institutional Review Board, Government Medical College, Bhavnagar
for long term safety and efficacy studies in collaboration with GMC, Bhavnagar and GMERS Medical
College, Gotri, Vadodara. CSIR-CSMCRI DFS showed 85% positive impact in terms of Hb value and with
improved iodine indicators over a 10 month trial tested for over 300 volunteers. It is pertinent to
mention here, simple iodized salt and Fe-fortified salt (taken as control and for comparative
assessment for this study) available in the market rendered 20% and 50% respectively substantiating
the merit of CSIR-CSMCRI DFS.
CSIR-CSMCRI DFS has been tested and evaluated by Regional Food Laboratory, Rajkot which
conformed that the DFS prepared adheres with Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards
and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, Food Safety Standards Act, 2006, rules and regulation made
there under. Further it is pertinent to mention that the CSIR-CSMCRI DFS complies largely with BIS
specification of DFS IS-16232-2014.
IPR Status: Patent titled “Double fortified salt composition containing iron and iodine and process for
the preparation thereof”, PCT Publication No WO2013128474 (Equivalent Patent/Application-
0607DEL2012, US Patent 9765098 B2 dated 13th June 2017, AP/P/2014/007942, AU 2013227207, CA
2865711, EP 13719626.7 and US 14/382521).

Updated on 18th January 2019