Health Report - Separate stories podcast Mailbag: iodised salt
Apr 3, 2026
Listeners' letters spark a discussion about whether iodised salt is still needed for children's iodine. They explore common iodine sources like bread, fish, shellfish and processed foods. Regional iodine gaps and when to check with a GP are mentioned. The segment also shares listener feedback, international greetings and light closing banter.
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Ask Your Local GP About Iodine Risk
- Check with your local GP if you worry your child might be iodine-deficient.
- Norman Swan recommends local medical advice because deficiency risk varies by region.
Iodine Fortification Solved Many But Not All Gaps
- Iodine fortification historically addressed local deficiencies but current diets often supply iodine from multiple sources.
- Norman Swan highlights there remain parts of Australia with low iodine so population-level variance persists.
Don’t Panic About Iodine If Diet Is Balanced
- Do not worry unduly about avoiding iodised salt for children if they eat a balanced diet.
- Preeya Alexander and Norman Swan note iodine is commonly present in bread, fish, shellfish and many processed foods, so most kids get enough.