The Finnish company says dairy products are the main source of iodine in the daily diet, and to address the issues, it has introduced a new online iodine counter for consumers to test whether their daily diet contains enough iodine.
To use the counter, the user selects their age group and the food they eat that contains the main sources of iodine in their diet. In addition to dairy products, other sources of iodine include fish, eggs and iodized salt.
The counter shows the iodine intake of the user and whether the intake is sufficient in comparison to the recommendations. The counter takes into account the iodine needs of different target groups, i.e. children, adults, pregnant women and women who breastfeed their babies.
Valio specifies iodine content on milk and sour milk cartons
Valio started specifying iodine content on milk and sour milk cartons in autumn 2014.
All Valio milk and sour milk products naturally contain 16 µg/100 g of iodine.
Iodine intake of Finns too low
According to FINRISKI studies and goal values defined by the World Health Organization, 79% of Finnish adults have a slight iodine deficiency and 35% have a moderate iodine deficiency.
The National Nutrition Council of Finland recommends that iodine intakes be increased, and considers dairy products to be a significant source of iodine.
Iodine advances normal cognitive activity, normal activity of thyroid glands, and has an impact on the activity of the nervous system. Iodine also affects skin condition.
A severe iodine deficiency may cause goitre, and may distort the normal growth and development of children.