Iodine Fortification in Bread - How does it affect you?

Bread in Australia is now being fortified with folic acid and iodine, under two new mandatory fortification Standards. Folic acid is being added to wheat flour for bread making purposes, in an attempt to reduce the number of neural tube defects in newborns. However, it's the mandatory iodine fortification that has raised questions among many people.

Why add iodine to bread?

Iodine is essential for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland, being necessary for the normal growth, development and functioning of the brain and body. We only need a small amount of iodine each day, but we need a regular intake as we cannot store iodine in the body.

Inadequate iodine intake during pregnancy and childhood can lead to developmental delays, as well as reductions in mental performance. In adults, iodine deficiency leads to goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland). Iodine is found in seaweed, fish, seafood, dairy products and eggs, but due to the low iodine content in Australian soil many foods are low in iodine. This, combined with the reduction in iodised salt added during cooking and at the table, has lead to widespread iodine deficiency throughout the population.

To correct this deficiency, iodine fortification of bread in the form iodised salt, is now mandatory within Australia. The only exception to this rule is organic bread, which is exempt from iodine fortification. Mandatory iodine fortification is expected to reduce inadequate iodine intake from 43% to less than 5% in the Australian population.

How much extra iodine will I get each day?

Mandatory iodine fortification will increase the iodine intake of Australians by approximately 54 micrograms per day. This amount is similar to the iodine content found in a 300ml glass of milk.

What if I have a thyroid problem?

For people with a thyroid problem, the expected daily increase in iodine fortification is modest and unlikely to cause harm, says Paul Brent, Chief Scientist for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). If you have any concerns though, it's best to consult your doctor for individual advice.

People with hyperthyroidism (an overproduction of thyroid hormone) may be more sensitive to increases in iodine intake. As a result, they may be advised to avoid certain medications, supplements, foods high in iodine and kelp/seaweed. A single serve of these products usually contains hundreds of micrograms to several milligrams of iodine, which is much more than the expected amounts of iodine that will be consumed via mandatory iodine fortification.

Is mandatory iodine fortification safe?

According to the FSANZ Iodine Scientific Advisory Group, which includes experts in a variety of fields, the risk of any adverse health effects from mandatory iodine fortification is very small across all groups. Mandatory iodine fortification is not sufficient enough to meet the iodine needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women, therefore supplements will be required.