Bakery firms in New Zealand will have to include iodised salt in bread in a government bid to combat the country’s growing iodine deficiency.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Food Standards Australia New Zealand said the new regulation will come into place over the next 18 months. Organic products and unleavened bread – such as pita and tortilla – is exempt.


“For some years, the amount of iodine people are consuming has been dropping,” said Jenny Reid of New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA).


“Iodine levels that are too low irreversibly impair the development of intelligence in children, beginning in the womb and continuing through childhood. Low iodine levels in adults are also a concern, with severe cases leading to goitre.”


Bread manufacturers have until September next year to comply with the new regulation to allow time to make the required changes to manufacturing and labelling.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The lead-in time will also give the salt industry time to increase the production of iodised salt.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact