What is iodized salt?

Iodized salt is common table salt that is fortified with iodine to reduce the incidence of goiter. Goiter is a disease accompanied by swelling of the thyroid gland because of iodine deficiency. Since salt is affordable and commonly used by everyone, it was chosen as the medium for iodine supplementation.

Iodine is naturally obtained from eating vegetables grown in soil rich in iodine. But if such vegetables are lacking in the diet, goiter may result. To address the need, manufacturers add iodine to rock salt taken from underground salt mines. Some manufacturers also produced sea salt with iodine and indicate it on the label.