Author: Inva Hasanaliaj
Black salt is raw salt, which is obtained directly from the salt production pans on the coast. It is called black because of the content of foreign elements, mainly soil. But, apart from dirt, it does not even have the necessary amount of iodine in its composition, a very important element for human health. For this reason, this type of salt has been forbidden to be used in Albanian cuisine by law since 12 years ago. However, it continues and is still marketed in our country. Albania has been a country that has suffered from iodine deficiency, for this reason in 2008 black salt was banned from being marketed for human and animal use.
During 2019 alone, AKU returned 24 tons and disposed of 1.62 tons of imported salt.
A year later, in 2020, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu, during her speech in the Assembly said that for the first time work is being done on the element of salt traceability in all stages to guarantee 100% consumption iodized salt from consumers.
But did he stop the Albanians from selling non-iodized salt, which is also used for cooking? From an observation in the main market of the city of Vlora, we saw that black salt was clearly sold like any other product, even outside of any standard.
After this observation, we asked the Ministry of Health if it knew about the marketing of this product, but we did not receive any answer.
On the other hand, we also communicated with the National Food Authority to find out if checks were carried out on this issue during 2020 and what measures were taken against entities that market this product.
From AKU's response, we learned that only in Tirana during 2020, controls were carried out in 413 commercial entities, where warning measures were taken in 207 cases for deficiencies of minor importance. Also, according to this institution, during the inspections carried out according to the annual plan or other inspections, no problems were found in connection with the marketing of the product 'Salt'.
What we notice from the information of AKU is that the control was exercised only in subjects, which are licensed as such for the processing and trading of salt. The black market remains out of control. Although completely legal, informal traders sell this product in city markets and no institution undertakes to ban it.
What do the specialists say about the consumption of non-iodized salt?
Jolanda Hyska, specialist at ISHP, says that the damage caused by lack of iodine in the body is different for different ages. In adults, it causes weakness, rapid fatigue, reduced ability to work, reduced physical activity, as well as a decrease in the level of intelligence. In pregnant women, it causes miscarriages, premature births, stillborn children, children born with low weight and little chance of living, children born with deformities, etc.
"Pregnant women and young children need iodine more than others for a normal development of the child's brain and body. For babies, the only source of iodine is the mother. Mothers who breastfeed their children are the only and sufficient source of iodine for the baby, if they receive iodine in sufficient quantities. concludes Hyska.
Albanians have had a lack of iodine in the body, not because of a lack of salt, but because they have historically consumed raw, non-iodized salt. The amount of iodine, according to doctors, is not met by consuming more salt, but by consuming salt that contains the necessary amount of iodine.
For the urologist, Artan Koni, the Albanian consumer is an excessive consumer of salt.
This comes not only from the geographical area where we live, but also from the food tradition in our families. According to Dr. After all, excessive consumption of salt causes various problems in the human body. Excess salt accumulates large amounts of water in the body, increasing blood pressure. Increased blood pressure brings problems with a number of organs in the body, starting from the heart, kidneys, eyes, liver, etc.
According to INSTAT, only in 2019 deaths from the group-diseases in the circulatory system account for 53,4% of total deaths. This group of diseases continues to be the main cause of death, with a mortality rate of 410,0 per 100 thousand inhabitants and compared to the previous year there is an increase of 0,9%
"Salt consumption should be significantly reduced. All age groups are affected by excessive salt consumption. In other words, the narrowing of the veins or the crystals in the kidneys take years to form, but they give clinical signs usually at the age of over 50 years. If you consume a lot of salt throughout your youth, you can be sure that you will have health problems when you reach the age of 50. concludes Dr. Cone.
