...

Azerbaijan monitors salt quality

Business Materials 24 August 2010 14:06 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 24 / Trend N.Ismayilova /

The Azerbaijani NGO Union of Free Consumers is monitoring non-iodized salt in the regions together with the Health Ministry. Monitoring has already been carried out in the Kurdamir, Agsu, Zardab, Goychay and Ganja regions.

"Earlier monitoring was held in the country's southernmost regions," head of the Union of Free Consumers Eyyub Huseynov said at a press conference today.

According to the union, the Astara region has so far shown the poorest quality salt in the country.

"The lack of iodine leads to serious illnesses among the population, such as visual impairments, goiters, and low immunity," he said. "It is necessary to take measures against using salt from the Masazir, Garadagh and Salyan lakes, which ultimately harms the public."

Huseynov stressed that this salt is sold at lower prices as it has not been iodized. It is also sent in large volumes for bread production, he added. However, Huseynov noted that the ministry has already managed to significantly reduce the volume of non-iodized salt on store shelves.

Meanwhile, the NGO told Trend that consumers should carefully examine the packaging of salt in stores before making their purchase. Iodized salt should not be stored for over nine months. Moreover, it must be stored in dense packing, Huseynov added.

The official exchange rate today is 0.8039 manat to $1.

Tags:
Latest

Latest