Pregnant and breastfeeding women have been advised to take iodine supplements. Australia’s food safety authority has recommended this.

This recommendation comes following reports that due to Iodine deficiency a baby's brain development and hearing power could get affected.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand last year predetermined that bakers should use iodised salt while making bakery products and also all bread include folic acid.

The authority’s advice has been welcomed by endocrinologist Professor Creswell Eastman at the University of Sydney.

"I have been recommending for at least five years that we have a public health policy that all women pregnant women and breast feeding women are given this recommendation to take an extra
150 micrograms of iodine every day," he said.

Australian Thyroid Foundation president Beverly Garside however added that it was not possible to get adequate iodine from food alone.