eli5: Why is non-iodized salt sold?

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I usually buy the salt that says “this salt supplies iodide a necessary ingredient.” But yesterday I accidentally bought one that says “this salt does not supply iodide..” which always makes me wonder… if iodide is a necessary nutrient why would salt be sold without it.. and explicitly state that ???

Anyways, I’m basically wondering if it’s bad enough that I should go out and buy the salt that supplies iodide. I know it’s not a life or death ordeal but I’m just now beginning my ✨caring about what I put in my body✨ journey so if this salt will only give me all the bad components of salt without any good ones, I’ll go get another one.

<3

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21 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Lots of reasons.
If you’re doing something that involves salt and some kind of biological activity like making bread or cheese or fermented foods, then the iodine can cause problems (e.g. harm or kill the bacteria/fungi). Iodine can affect the flavor of foods. Some medical conditions are helped by limiting the intake of iodine. Pickling with iodized salt can turn out weird.

The iodine can also cause problems for non-food applications. A couple of examples off the top of my head where the iodine can cause problems are dyeing fabrics, and using salt water to treat infected/unhappy piercings.

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