Abstract
The major components, trace elements, ferrocyanide, and viable cell number in common brands of salt were measured. Many types of domestic salt had a significant content of bittern, a lower purity of sodium chloride and less insoluble matter than the imported types. Some imported solar salts contained significant insoluble matter which resulted in contamination by heavy metals. Three of the analyzed samples included 0.5mg/kg of arsenic (the maximum limit according to the Codex Standard for Food Grade Salt) or more, and two samples contained lead or cadmium. Samples with high concentrations of copper, chromium, nickel, and zinc were also found. None of the measured samples had detectable viable cells, and the ferrocyanide ion was contained in four of the imported samples.
