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DRAFT REGULATIONS  
 
THE FOOD AND DRUGS ( SALT IODISATION)  REGULATIONS , 2010  
 
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS  
Regulation  
1. Title  
2. Interpretation.  
3. Application.  
4. Iodisation of salt . 
5. Packaging of iodised salt . 
6. Labelling of iodised salt  
7. Period of placing of salt  on the market   
8. Storage and t ransportation of salt  
9. Quality assurance  activities  
10. E nforcement activities  
11. Salt below or above national standards not to enter the market  
12. Sensitisation of the public  
13. Exemptions  
14. Offences and penalties.  
15. References  
16. Repeal   
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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS  
2010 No. ....  
 
The Food  and Drugs (Salt Iodisation)  Regulations; 2010.  
 
(Under section 41 of the Food and Drugs Ac t, Cap 278)  
 
 
IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon the Minister by section 41  of the 
Food and Drugs Act, these Regulations are made this ..... day of ........., 2010.  Cap 278.  
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Food and Drugs (Salt Iodisation) 
Regulations, 2010  Title . 
 
2. In these R egulations, unless the context otherwise require s ─ 
―authorised Officer ‖ means an, officer given the mandate or appointed by 
the Minister to carry out duties under the provisions of these 
Regulations;  
―compound foodstuff ‖ means a foodstuff which contains food -grade salt 
as an ingredient or flavourant  and in which the presence of iodine  has 
an undesirable effect on the characteristics of such foodstuff;  
‗‗food grade salt‘‘  means  a crystalline product consisting predominantly 
of sodium chloride which is used as an ingredient or flavourant in or on 
foodstuf fs, and which may be obtained from the sea, underground rock 
salt deposits or natural brine, and which may also be referred to as table 
salt, cooking salt, or common salt;.  
―imported ‖ means with respect to iodised  salt, salt brought into Uganda 
from anothe r country for distribution in Uganda;  
―industrial s alt‖ means salt normally used in industries such as in the 
manufacture of chlorine , caustic soda , paper  and pulp,  dyes,  textile s, 
rubber products, soap and detergent s, ceramics , oil and gas drill ing; hides 
and skins processing ,  leather tann ing and in the pharmaceutical industries . 
―iodised salt ‖ means salt intended for human or livestock consumption to 
which iodine , has been added as a means of preventing iodine 
deficiency disorders;  
―low sodium salt‖ me ans salt containing less than 67% sodium chloride;  
―Minister ‖ means the Minister responsible for health;  
―Ministry ‖ means, the Ministry responsible for health;  
―national standard ‖ means a standard produced or adopted by the Uganda 
National Bureau of Standa rds for use in Uganda.  
―package‖ means anything in which iodised  salt is partially or wholly 
covered, wrapped, attached, enclosed, contained or packed;  
―produced ‖ means with respect to iod ised salt the making, processing or 
manufacture of salt;  
 ―marketed ‖ means with respect to iodised  salt the state  of salt trade as 
shown by prices or the rate at which iodised  salt is  bought and sold in 
Uganda;  Interpretation   
3 
 ―recognised laboratory‖ means a room or building equipped to test 
characteristics of salt including iodine cont ent in acc ordance with 
national standards  
―sample ‖ means a quantity of salt provided  or obtained for analysis or 
examination.  
 
3. These Regulations shall apply to all salt for human and Livestock 
consumption, produced, imported, or marketed in  Uganda.  
 Application  
4. (1) A person shall not produce, import or market in Uganda for human or 
livestock consumption, any salt unless it is  of quality and safety conforming to 
national standards and unless it is iodised . Iodisation of 
salt 
(2) The salt re ferred to under sub Regulation (1) shall be iodised to 
conform, at each specific stage  of production, import and retail , to the levels 
specified in the national standards and to ensure that no less than the 
minimum level of iodine prescribed in national st andards shall be retained  
in the salt at the time of supply to the consumer . 
(3) The iodine compound allowed in the salt for human or livestock 
consumption shall be iodide or iodate of potassium o r sodium as prescribed 
in national standards  for food grade salt. 
  
5. (1) Iodised salt shall be packaged or packed in properly sealed , moisture 
proof and airtight containers  
(2) In order to avoid the use of hooks for lifting iodised salt bags, bulk 
packing units shall not exceed fifty kilogrammes.  
(3) A bag  used or  intended to be used for packaging commodities such as 
fertilizers or chemicals shall not be used or reused for packaging of 
iodised  salt. 
 Packaging of 
iodised salt  
6. (1) Packages or packets of Iodised  salt shall be clearly labelled with true 
and accurate information and in a manner conforming to national standards for 
labelling  of pre -packaged foods to show the following: - 
(a) The name of the product declared on the label as ‗salt‘  
(b) The name and physical address of the manufacturer, importer or 
distributor;  
(c) The statement that the salt is iod ised; 
(d) The list of ingredients indicating the compound used to iodise the 
salt; 
(e) The date of manufacture;  
(f) The co untry of manufacture;  
(g) The lot or batch identification number;  
(h) The net weight of the salt;  
(i) The date by which the sa lt must be sold or retail ed; 
(j) The level of iodine in mg/ 100g;  Labelling of 
iodised salt   
4 
 (k) The caution label indicating that the salt must be stored in a cool and 
dry place ; and  
(2) The claim "fortified food‘ ‗added value‘ and the official food 
fortification logo to that effect may be use d on iodised salt and may be 
displayed on the label or in advertising material, provided that such 
display shall be in accordance with the Food and Drugs Act ( Food 
Fortification ) Regulations.  
 
7. A person importing iodised salt shal l ensure that the salt has no less than 
two thirds of its valid shelf life , from the date of manufacture to the date by 
which the salt must be sold or retailed , remains at the time of entry of salt to 
Uganda for distribution in the market.  Period of 
placin g 
iodised salt on 
the market  
8. A person dealing in or with iodised salt shall ensure that the salt is – 
(a) stored in a cool, well ventilated and dry place which does not, at any 
stage, expose the salt it to rain, direct light, excessive humidity or  
other inclem ent weather;  
(b) not expose d to any form of contamination by dust or any chemicals 
or mixed with non -iodised salt; 
(c) stored in a covered room or godown  with adequate aeration and 
stacked on pallets raised to at least ten point two centimeters (10.2 
cm or 2 inche s) above the floor.  
(d) not in contact with any wall of the storage room or go down.  
(e) not handled by hoo ks or sharp pointed instruments;  
(f) proper ly stocked and a stock register with lot/batch identification 
numbers and date of receipt  maintained.  
(g) transported, sto red or kept for sale in the package in which it was 
originally packed.  
 Storage and 
transportation 
of salt  
 
9. (1) The Minister or a del egated authority shall─  
(a) establish a quality assurance system to check on the quality and 
safety of iodised salt at the point of manufacture, importation or sale 
in Uganda to ensure compliance with these Regulations ; and  
(b) provide for the examination and ana lysis of samples of iodised  salt in 
a recognised laboratory  
(c) provide for a system to carry out random on -the-spot checks to 
obtain indicative results on the level of iodine in the salt  at the 
following points of control and for the purpose of continued 
acceptance of such salt for placing into the market  at— 
(i) point of entry of imports ; 
(ii) the factory or warehouse of iodised salt  manufacturer or 
importer ; 
(iii)wholesale points ; and  
(iv) any other point of distribution  Quality 
assurance 
activities    
5 
  (2) For the purpose of the on-the-spot check s in sub R egulation  (2) part 
(c) rapid test kit s may be used to indicate the level of iodine in the salt 
provided that when there is a doubt such salt shall be taken to a 
recognised laboratory for analysis  before conclusive actions are taken . 
(3) A person manufactur ing iodised salt shall establish his or her own 
quality assurance system in accordance with the quality assurance 
system established by the Minister and shall carry out quality assurance 
activities, which shall include  where applicable — 
(a) routine instrum ent and equipment calibration and maintenance 
checks;  
(b) routine validation of the production procedures and their adequacy;  
(c) routine checks of all raw materials;  
(d) routine checks on the finished products; and  
(e) routine checks on packages and label s. 
 
10. (1) Subject to these Regulations and any other law in force , an authorized 
officer , may, during normal office hours or other reasonable time – 
(a) Inspect any factory, commercial concern, shop or store; and  
(b) In connection with the inspection ;  
(i) enter any premises or vessel where salt is manufactured, packed, stored 
or sold, and  
(ii) examine and make copies of any book or records  pertaining to salt ; and  
(iii) interview employees or agents to determine whether t hese Regulations 
are being com plied with.  
(2) An authorized officer may, at any reasonable time, take samples of salt at 
the production site, entry point into the country or point of distribution or 
sale for testing the iodine content of the salt by rapid salt test kit or for 
analysis in a recognised laboratory.  
(3) An authorised officer may impound, stop the manufacture, packing, 
selling, transporting or any activity related to iodised  salt, where these 
Regulations have not been complied with.  
 Enforcement 
of activities  
 
11. For the avoid ance of doubt any salt which does not meet the required iodine 
content or other standard required by law shall not be allowed to enter into 
Uganda or the Uganda market  unless exemptions have been granted under 
Regulation 13 . 
 Salt below or 
above national 
standard  
12. (1) The M inistry shall be responsible for the sensitization of the public, 
including salt traders, about the necessity and benefits of consuming iodised  
salt. 
(2) The Ministry shall be responsible for undertaking monitoring of the 
quality of salt  at households and establishing the iodine intake of the 
population for the continued success of the universal salt iodisation 
programme.  
 Sensitization 
of the public   
6 
 13. (1) These Regulations shall not apply to salt from origins other than those 
referred to in the definition of ―food  grade salt‖, especially salt which is 
industrial salt or low sodium salt.  
(2) The provisions of these Regulations shall not apply to – 
(a) Salt available at pharmacies in packages of 500 grams or less which 
is labelled ‗non -iodis ed salt ‘; and  
(b) Salt intended for the manufacture of compound foodstuffs  provided 
that any person who wish es to be exempted from these regulations for 
this purpose shall apply to  the Director -General of Health.  
 Exemptions  
14. (1) A person who contravenes a ny provision of these Regulations commits 
an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding 
three months and shall have the items in contravention impounded. The Court 
may order the items to be forfeited, destroyed or disposed of i n a manner 
prescribed by the Minister . 
(2) In addition to the penalty prescribed under sub  Regulation 1, the 
following shall be imposed – 
(a) Where the consignment of salt does not conform to the requirements of 
these Regulations, the salt shall be downgraded as sa lt unfit for human or 
livestock consumption and shall not be allowed in the Uganda Market.  
(b) In case of imported salt, the consignment shall be refused entry into 
Uganda and shipped back to the supplier at the importer‘s expense;  
(c) In case of locally manufactu red salt the consignment shall be kept in 
bond until iod ised to the required levels by the supplier;  
(d) Where non -iodised salt is found stocked or being sold by a retail trader, 
the salt shall be impounded for disposal and destruction in a manner 
prescribed by the Minister ; and  
(e) In case of damage of the original package, a suitable alternative shall be 
used on condition that all the labelling on the original package is clearly 
and correctly indicated on the alternative package.  Offence s and 
penalties  
 
15. SI No. 2. 2005 The Food a nd Drugs (Food Fortification) Regulations; 2005.  References  
16. Statutory instrument No. 59 of 23rd September 1997 is hereby repealed.  Repeal  
....................................................  
Minister of health