[Despite use of iodized salt in individual food preparation there remains a 1st degree iodine deficiency in Germany].

Due to the fact that the use of iodated table salt is not compulsory in Germany and entirely at the discretion of the individual consumer, there is hardly any effective prevention of endemic iodine deficiency struma in this country. The good results achieved in the former GDR with iodine prophylaxis dropped to the FRG level after the unification. Using iodated salt when preparing individual food dishes is not enough to counteract iodine deficiency. We proved this in our study which is communicated below. An iodine deficiency of the first degree remains. Effective compensation of iodine deficiency can be achieved only if iodine is added on a large scale in all branches of food preparation (including the serving and catering of food), of the food industry (on both a major and a small scale) and in meat production, i.e. in producing food of animal origin.