While the country is going through an economic crisis with dangerous repercussions on the Algerian consumer, the latter, concerned about his ever-falling purchasing power, is still oblivious to the dangers of an unbalanced diet.
In addition to red and white meats and some fruits and vegetables which have experienced a surge in recent months, the Algerian consumer and his health are confronted with the dishonesty of certain unscrupulous brands, whose greed dictates fraudulent recipes, and this in simple and essential products.
This is particularly the case with table salt. Harmless in appearance and in common use, salt has never been a source of distrust for Algerian consumers. However, the Association for the Protection and Promotion of the Consumer and his Environment has today made disconcerting revelations concerning the iodine content of salts marketed in Algeria.
“Danger for the Algerian consumer”
The Association for the Protection of the Consumer and the Environment, said today that the brands of salts marketed in Algeria are far from complying with the recommended iodine levels.
A letter was sent to the Ministries of Health and Trade by this association, where it exposed a study that has been carried out since March 2021, and which has affected 20 brands of salt the most consumed in Algeria.
This study was carried out by the Center for Scientific and Technical Research in Physico-Chemical Analyzes of Bousmail (CRAPC), in collaboration with the Association for the Protection of the Consumer and the Environment, the latter said on its Facebook page.
The results of this study “do not correspond to the standards”, underlines the publication of the association which adds that “this exposes the health of the Algerian consumer to various dangers”.
Salt: zero iodine content
The study which was carried out by the CRAPC, and which in particular affected “one of the largest brands of imported table salt on the market” demonstrated that this brand “recorded 0 mg of iodine content”, states the Association press release.
Other brands are not faring any better, as the association’s statement says test results show that the iodine content of their products is “not up to standard.”
The same source indicates that “according to the law, the level of iodine in table salt should not be less than 55 mg/kg and nor greater than 85 g / kg, and this, according to Executive Decree No: 90-40 of January 30, 1990, which makes the sale of salt compulsory to avoid iodine deficiencies”.
The association indicates that this study was launched following a request made by the CRAPC, but also after the observation of a significant increase in the incidence of cases of thyroid and other incurable diseases such as abortion, as well as phenomena such as lack of concentration and lower educational attainment among schoolchildren.
