Potassium iodate (KIO3) is a crucial ingredient in producing iodized salt. According to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for Iodized Salt for Consumption 3556:2016, the minimum KIO3 content required in consumable salt is 30 ppm. Until now, PT Kimia Farma (Persero) has supplied the KIO3 required for iodized salt production. However, based on letters from APROGAKOP Pati addressed to the Minister of National Development Planning (PPN) on June 4, 2024, and to the Minister of Industry on July 8, 2024, it was reported that PT Kimia Farma's supply of KIO3 had been depleted since early June 2024.
PT Kimia Farma confirmed that the production of iodine from Watudakon, the only domestic source of iodine, had significantly declined to the point where it was no longer economically viable for commercial production. Over the past three years, iodine production capacity has drastically decreased from 4 to 1.8 tons.
In response, the Indonesian Nutrition Foundation for Food Fortification (KFI), the Technical Secretariat of the National Food Fortification Coordination Forum, met with other secretariat members on Friday, June 21, 2024. During the meeting, KFI presented its analysis of the KIO3 shortage, including problem identification, causes, consequences, and proposed solutions.
To address this issue, KFI has proposed several critical solutions, including:
- Regulation for KIO3 Importation KIO3 – Promptly drafting regulations that allow the importation of sufficient quantities of KIO3 at affordable or subsidized prices.
- KIO3 Demand Mappin KIO3 – Mapping domestic demand and the KIO3 supply chain and distributing it according to the needs of both large and small-scale industries.3, serta mendistribusikannya sesuai kebutuhan, baik untuk industri besar maupun kecil.
- Monitoring Availability and Prices – The Ministry of Trade must ensure a continuous supply of KIO3 and maintain price stability in the market.3 serta stabilitas harganya di pasaran.
According to KFI, the necessary steps to handle this crisis include:
- Reviving the Iodized Salt Compartment within the LSFF Forum and advocating for the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Finance to develop supportive import regulations.
- Conducting a comprehensive mapping of KIO33 supply chain and distributing it according to the needs of both large and small-scale industries.
- Implementing strict oversight by the Ministry of Trade to ensure the continued supply and stable pricing of KIO3.3.
Following this meeting, the Technical Secretariat Team of the National Food Fortification Coordination Forum has prepared a policy brief containing recommendations to address the KIO3 shortage and ensure a sustainable supply of iodized salt in Indonesia. This document has been submitted to the Deputy for Human Development, Society, and Culture at the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas), who serves as the Vice Chair of the National Food Fortification Coordination Forum. It is expected to be further delivered to the Secretary of the Ministry of National Development Planning and the Secretary-General of Bappenas.
The document outlines recommendations for resolving the KIO3 shortage in Indonesia and ensuring a sustainable supply of iodized salt. It also discusses the impact of iodine deficiency and the KIO3 shortage in Indonesia, as well as short-term and long-term recommendations to resolve the issue. For more information about this document, please get in touch with us at kfi@kfindonesia.org.
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