PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Act now to end iodine deficiency in UK women and protect children’s IQ
We want the Government to introduce a national iodine strategy, including iodised salt or bread fortification, mandatory iodine in plant-based milks, national guidance for iodine supplements in pregnancy, and regular monitoring through the National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
109
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 109/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 109/100,000
Background
The latest national data show UK women of reproductive age have very low iodine levels (median 82 µg/L; 30 % severely deficient), below countries such as Ghana, Timor-Leste and Mozambique. Iodine is essential for healthy brain development in babies, and deficiency reduces child IQ and learning potential. Most nations now fortify salt or staple foods; the UK funds these programmes overseas but has none at home. This is a simple, low-cost fix with lifelong benefits. We need a policy and action now