As part of the fight against Iod deficiency disorders (TDCI) due to the consumption of adequately iodized salt, the import of salt into the Republic of Benin must now be subject to closer systematic control at the customs cord.

This instruction was given by the Director General of Customs and Indirect Rights to all Heads of Unit through the Memorandum of Service No 3442/DGDDI/DLRI of 13 October 2017, in order to support screening officers mandated by the Directorate of Food and Applied Nutrition (DANA) in the correct and expeditious application of the said measure.

It follows from the application of the Joint Order No. 422 MAEP/MS/MCMEME/MCAATMEF/DC/SGM/DANA/SA of 06 August 2013, laying down the conditions for the production , import , marketing and use of iodized salt in the Republic of Benin , reinforced by the Decision of Record 29 taken by Council of Ministers in its session of September 6, 2017.

To this end, the Council instructed the Minister of Health to involve its Departmental Directors and Medical Coordinators of Sanitary Areas in public awareness-raising events on the quality of salt for consumption and systematic control of salt both imported and locally produced. It follows that iodized salt will only be put to consumption after prior normative inspection of the relevant technical services of the Ministries of Trade, Agriculture and Health.