The impact of Japan crisis has already started showing in the prices of potassium iodate (edible form of iodine), usually mixed with salt to make it iodised.
“Japan is one of the main suppliers of iodine to the world, next to Chile. In fact, these two countries account for most of the global supply of iodine. Therefore with one supplier (Japan) going through restructuring after crisis, iodine supply will be badly hit,” said a chemical importer for pharmaceuticals and health products.
Iodine has two variants. While one is used as industrial chemical and salt by blending in potassium iodate, the other variety is used for absorbing nuclear radiation. Market sources say Japan is consuming the entire output for containing nuclear radiation by distributing pouches of the chemical to households to check radiation in food and water. Thus, the entire supply is choked.
In the domestic market, prices of potassium iodate shot up from Rs 1,250-1,300 a kg to Rs 1,750-1,800 a kg. While prices of iodate are expected to touch Rs 2,000-2,500 a kg, iodised salt prices are expected to go up by 25-50 paise, market sources said.
Iodised salt is used to prevent iodine deficiency in human body and prevent hormonal disorders like thyroid.
An official in salt manufacturing company said in a tonne of salt, 0.5-1 kg of iodine is used. However, in potassium iodate, the variant used as industrial chemical, 75 per cent of iodine is used.
The other chemical which is suffering a constraint is hydroquinol, which is used as an antioxidant for preserving unsaturated edible oil and edible animal fats, preparing variety of medicines and as a photography developer. Japan is major supplier of this chemical as well.
The Indian government, reportedly, has designated three laboratories to test samples of food items from Japan since India is worried that any harmful imported products may contaminate its food stocks and pose health threats. India buys small quantities of processed food items, fruits and vegetables from Japan.
