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I am listening to a book about the history of salt and it stated that Britains don't use iodized salt, like we do here in the US. Is that true? Are there other counties that do not routinely use iodized salt?

itsmedammit 8 Oct 13
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I have never seen it on sale in the UK. Sea salt is on sale along with the normal stuff

We can buy it non iodized as well and there are other varieties (sea, popcorn, coarse, etc.). Growing up though, and still today we have always used the iodized sort for table salt and cooking and baking. Someone earlier pointed out that those in coastal communities tend to get iodine from fish and other sea critters. Makes sense to me.

@itsmedammit I am not too keen on having additives in my food. Drinking water in the UK does not have flouride added although I believe it is widespread in the US.
A proper balanced diet should be sufficient for good health and having to put additives in food is an admition that it is poor and overprocessed in the first place.

@Moravian Yes, fluoride in drinking water is pretty standard here in the US, to help protect teeth against decay. Studies have shown that fluoridation of water has reduced the amount of tooth decay. [nhs.uk]

There have been some concerns about it causing cancer, but studies have not indicated that it causes cancer. [cancer.org].

I am ok with fluoride in my water but for many years I have been on a well so haven't been getting it as routinely as before.

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Both iodized and regular salt are offered side-by-side at every store that sells it, and always has been. Many bakers prefer not-iodized in delicate cake batters, etc.

Yes, I am aware that there are many types of salt available, but table salt, at least for me has always been of the iodized kind. Was that the case for you as well?

@itsmedammit my Mom despised Fish, and we had a dairy farm, so iodized salt was a must. My grandma always wanted "regular" salt for pickling & canning, though.

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Oh. I just checked Wikipedia and under “iodized salt” they include an alphabetical list of countries and their situation related to iodine consumption.

Thanks!

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I understand that people living in coastal communities are naturally exposed to iodine in their food. Other countries have had problems of increased goiter and intelectual disabilities due to the absence of iodine in their diet. Unfortunately, I don’t have a list of those countries.

The coastal community thing makes sense.

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