Ethiopia Evaluates Costs for Multi-Micronutrient Salt Iodization

A new study has estimated the cost of expanding Ethiopia’s national salt iodization program to include nutrients like folic acid, vitamin B-12, and zinc. While adding folic acid would only slightly increase costs, triple or quadruple fortification could raise costs up to $63 per metric ton.

With 89% of Ethiopian households already consuming iodized salt, researchers suggest that salt remains the most effective vehicle for improving national nutrient intake. However, policymakers must balance affordability and technological feasibility before revising national standards.