Purpose

The authors provide primary data on salt iodisation of processed foods in Germany, analyse reasons for food processors' use or non-use of iodisation and derive implications for public health.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical evidence is presented on the use of iodised salt in bread and bakery products, meat and meat products and dairy products in the German grocery-retailing sector. Information is based on mobile data collection in a representative sample of grocery stores in four German cities. These data are analysed with logistic regression models. Additionally, an online survey of bakers and butchers is utilised to record and to explain the use of iodised salt in specialised food stores.

Findings

Salt was added in 69.3% of the 29,910 foods analysed in the market study. When salt was added, iodised salt was used in only 28.5% of the cases. According to the online survey, only 44% of the bakers and butchers used iodised salt, and the user share declined over time. Incomplete information from processors on the role of iodised salt for public health is contributing to the low and declining user share.

Originality/value

The authors combine different market research methods and elaborate that the recommendation by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture – “If salt, then iodised salt” – is implemented to a very limited extent by the food industry and specialised food stores. From the behaviour of food processors and their perceptions of salt iodisation, the authors gain new insights for policy and public health.

中文翻译：

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德国加工食品的盐碘化：证据、加工商的看法和对公共健康的影响

目的

作者提供了德国加工食品加碘的主要数据，分析了食品加工商使用或不使用加碘的原因，并得出对公共健康的影响。

设计/方法/方法

提供了有关德国杂货零售部门在面包和烘焙产品、肉类和肉类产品以及乳制品中使用碘盐的统计证据。信息基于在四个德国城市杂货店的代表性样本中收集的移动数据。这些数据用逻辑回归模型进行分析。此外，还利用对面包师和屠夫的在线调查来记录和解释专业食品商店中碘盐的使用情况。

发现

在市场研究分析的 29,910 种食物中，有 69.3% 添加了盐。当添加盐时，只有 28.5% 的情况下使用碘盐。根据网上调查，只有 44% 的面包师和屠夫使用了碘盐，而且用户份额随着时间的推移而下降。加工商提供的关于碘盐对公共卫生的作用的信息不完整，导致用户份额低且不断下降。

原创性/价值

作者结合了不同的市场研究方法，并详细阐述了德国联邦食品和农业部的建议——“如果是盐，那就是碘盐”——在食品行业和专业食品商店的实施范围内非常有限。从食品加工商的行为及其对加碘盐的看法，作者获得了政策和公共卫生方面的新见解。