Objectives To explore the status of consuming iodine-added salt in Shishou residents and to evaluate the effect of universal salt iodization for the prevention of iodine deficiency.

Methods According to the National Monitoring Program for Salt Iodization, the salt samples were collected from households by random and the iodine content was detected by direct titration methods. The results were analyzed statistically by Excel and SPSS.

Results Totally 876 salt samples were detected in 2010-2012 and 837 samples were qualified. The coverage of iodized salt was 99.43%. Both the qualified rate of iodinated salt and the rate of consuming qualified iodized salt were 95.55%. The median iodine content in salt samples was 34.00 mg/kg.

Conclusions The coverage rate of consuming iodized salt and the rate of consuming qualified iodized salt in 2010-2012 in Shishou were consistent with the standard requirement of eliminating iodine deficiency. The universal salt iodization has been implemented locally in Shishou, and the nutrition for iodine has been guaranteed.