Fortification of bread, in Tasmania

Following voluntary fortification of bread in Tasmania in October 2001, urinary iodine levels in Tasmania school-children increased in surveys conducted in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. The median UIC was 108pg/I across the four surveys. Using the WHO classifications, median... 

There is also evidence that at least one other subgroup in the Tasmanian population is still iodine deficient, despite the fortification of bread. A comparison of UIC of pregnant women in Tasmania showed no significant improvement in iodine nutrition following fortification and that iodine deficiency had persisted in this group (Burgess et al., 2007). 

It should be noted that the voluntary program of bread fortification in Tasmania was introduced as an interim measure only. As a result of the re-emergence of iodine deficiency in Austrafia (Gunton et al., 1999 Li et al., 2001, McDonnell et al., 2003, Hynes et al., 2004) and in New Zealand (Thomson et al., 2001, Skeaff et al., 2002, 2003) mandatory fortification of bread with iodized salt is presently being considered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) (2007). 

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