Ordinance No. 635/2026 sets the iodine content of iodised salt and defines when traditional products and other cases are exempt from its use.
The Regional Department of Health and Civil Protection has published Ordinance No. 635/2026, which defines the composition of iodised salt intended for human consumption in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and the conditions under which certain food products are exempt from the obligation to use it. The ordinance was published in the Official Journal on 11 November 2026 and enters into force 90 days after publication.
Iodised salt intended for human consumption must contain between 20 and 45 milligrams of iodine per kilogram of salt, in the form of potassium iodide or potassium iodate. Iodine is an essential nutrient, and its deficiency is the problem the regulation aims to tackle in the Region.
The ordinance also provides that these values be reviewed whenever developments in technical or scientific knowledge, or international recommendations, warrant it.
The ordinance implements Regional Legislative Decree No. 6/2025/M, of 4 August, which creates structural measures against iodine deficiency in Madeira and makes the use of iodised salt in foods intended for human consumption mandatory. A regional legislative decree is a piece of legislation approved by the Regional Legislative Assembly, whereas an ordinance is an act of the member of the Regional Government responsible for the area, in this case health, that gives effect to the law. The decree refers to an ordinance the task of defining the salt composition and the exemption rules.
The ordinance was drafted on the proposal of the Monitoring and Evaluation Commission for the Fight against Iodine Deficiency and is also based on Ordinance No. 431/2026 and Regional Regulatory Decree No. 17/2026/M, as amended by Regional Regulatory Decree No. 18/2026/M.
Food products recognised as traditional are automatically exempt from the obligation to use iodised salt of this composition. For this purpose, products classified as eligible for authorisation to use the "Marca Produto da Madeira" (Madeira Product Mark), including their approved local and sectoral versions, are considered traditional. The exemption applies regardless of whether producers hold that authorisation of use.
Products that are in production or already placed on the market on the date of entry into force are not covered by the new regime and may be sold until existing stocks are exhausted.
Where the addition of iodised salt has a proven effect on the organoleptic characteristics of a food product, that is, on how its taste, smell, appearance or texture is perceived by the senses, the Regional Health Authority may authorise a reduction or exemption from the obligation. Authorisation depends on a reasoned application from the producer, accompanied by evidence of the effect.
Authorisation is granted for three years and is renewable for equal periods upon application by the interested party. The renewal application must be submitted no later than 60 days before the deadline expires, failing which the authorisation lapses. Authorisations granted are published on the website of the Regional Health Authority, available on the internet site of the regional government department responsible for health.
The ordinance enters into force 90 days after its publication, which, counting from 11 November 2026, corresponds to around 9 February 2027. The rules described in this article apply only from that date.
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