High Iodine content in NI milk?

[Redpossum2019]

Came across this study published March 2018, on iodine levels in Irish schoolgirls, with new research suggesting this population is sufficient.

Iodine content within milk was studied and appears to be very high? Can this be correct?

safefood.eu/SafeFood/media/...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I have no knowledge of it being higher in NI, but I always thought the iodine content was, in part, down to cleaning the cows' teats with teat dip/udder wash containing iodine.

If a cow is grass fed it appears there's not enough iodine for a cow's needs so it's supplemented. I suppose forage has to have a certain level of iodine and maybe it's tested.

This is interesting

independent.ie/business/far...

It used to be said that organic milk had a lower iodine content than non-oganic milk, but I recently read that this is no longer the case.

[helvella Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

Teat disinfectant was undoubtedly a significant contributor to iodine levels in milk.

I know that there has been quite some move towards chlorine-based disinfectants. When I asked about goat milk, the farm replied that chlorine-based is gentler on the teats.

[Redpossum2019 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Strangely the study shows that the milk in Belfast contains on average 282ug per 100 ml? That seems incredible considering every other article I have read states 88mcg per 250 ml. (Mcg is the same as ug). I feel like I must be interpreting that wrongly.

[Greybeard]

I've read that the iodine content in milk varies with the seasons. When the cows are out in the field eating fresh grass it is lower, when they are inside for the winter their feed is supplemented with vitamins and minerals, the iodine content of the milk then goes up.

[Redpossum2019 in reply to Greybeard]

That’s the strange thing, these figures are a median of all sample periods, spring through to winter. I’m puzzled how 100 ml of milk could provide more than the RDA of iodine. Doesn’t seem accurate.

[penny]

Milking is all automated now. We used a bucket of soapy water with some soda crystals and washing powder and a cloth, but then we milked by hand. I never knew that they used iodine in the washing of teats before milking these days.