[Interdisciplinary preventive use of iodine in former East Germany following reunification and the status of packaged iodized table salt for improving alimentary iodine supply. Retrospect and prospects].

The general interdisciplinary iodine prophylaxis which began in the former GDR in 1985/86 led to the amelioration of the alimentary supply with iodine and to success which was taken notice of also internationally. The amelioration of the supply with iodine was above all derived from the use of iodized mineral mixtures in animal production. According to the analyses performed up to 1990 the state of development could be maintained for the time being. With the German reunification the general iodine prophylaxis was deprived of its legal fundament and with the reorganization of agriculture the expanding use of iodized mineral mixtures was no more guaranteed. Respecting the principle of voluntariness the application of iodized kitchen salt is to be propagandized above all in children, adolescents and pregnant women and the use in big kitchens, restaurants and in the foodstuff industry.