Seaweed as a Natural Solution to Global Iodine Deficiency Webinar
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🌊 Seaweed as a Natural Solution to Global #Iodine Deficiency
The Global Seaweed Coalition & the INTERNATIONAL SEAWEED ASSOCIATION are bringing together scientists, nutritionists, dietitians, private sector representatives, and policymakers in a structured process of workshops, working meetings, and webinars to explore how iodine in seaweed can be harnessed for public health advantage while managing risks.
📆 Workshop 1, Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM CET📍 Zoom link : https://lnkd.in/eWQHPPGy
This process would generate concrete policy recommendations, which could be provided to the #UNGlobalSeaweedInitiative so it may champion the identified policy changes. Further, “announceables” could be presented at the Seaweed for Health conference in Dar es Salaam (June 2026)
Context : "Iodine deficiency remains one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide, affecting over two billion people. While universal salt iodization is the WHO-preferred strategy, one-third of households globally still lack access to adequately iodized salt.
At the same time, salt-reduction campaigns highlight the need for new, complementary sources of iodine. Several seaweed species are rich natural sources of iodine. Seaweeds have played a key role in the diets of countries such as Japan, where iodine sufficiency is well established. Seaweed cultivation is also highly sustainable, requiring no land or freshwater, and thus contributes to broader goals for resilient food systems.
However, variability in iodine content across species and harvests, the risk of excess intake, and limited regulatory oversight have prevented seaweed from being recognized as a reliable large-scale intervention. Cultural acceptability, uneven access in inland regions, and lack of relevant information for food preparers further constrain its use.
Against this backdrop, seaweed should not be seen as a substitute for salt iodization but rather as a promising complementary solution with potential for innovation in supplementation, food fortification, and functional products.
With the right science, processing standards, and policy frameworks, including dietary guidelines, seaweed could become a safe, standardized, and scalable source of iodine for public health."Read more here : https://lnkd.in/e4CBYyay
