Salt Questions · Health & nutrition
What is iodized salt and do we still need it?
Short answer
Iodized salt is salt with a small amount of iodine added, usually as potassium iodide, to prevent iodine deficiency, which can cause goiter and harm brain development in babies. Many people still need it: most specialty salts and the salt in processed foods are not iodized. Adults need 150 micrograms of iodine a day.
Daily iodine needs (micrograms)
Why iodine is added
The thyroid uses iodine to make hormones that regulate metabolism and are essential for brain development during pregnancy and infancy. Iodizing salt, begun in the U.S. in 1924, nearly eliminated goiter in many countries.
How much is in it
According to the NIH, U.S. iodized salt contains about 45 micrograms of iodine per gram. A quarter teaspoon (about 1.5 g) supplies roughly 68 mcg, almost half an adult's daily need.
Who should pay attention
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women, who need 220–290 mcg a day.
- People who use only sea salt, kosher or Himalayan salt, which are usually not iodized.
- Vegans and people who avoid dairy, eggs and seafood, which are other major sources.
Processed foods rarely use iodized salt, so eating more of them doesn't help your iodine intake.
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Cite this page
For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.
The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). What is iodized salt and do we still need it. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/what-is-iodized-salt-and-do-we-still-need-it
“What is iodized salt and do we still need it.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/answers/what-is-iodized-salt-and-do-we-still-need-it. Accessed [today's date].
“What is iodized salt and do we still need it.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/what-is-iodized-salt-and-do-we-still-need-it.
Original sources
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Iodine: fact sheet for consumers. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/
- Wikipedia. Iodised salt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodised_salt