Edible Salt Manufacturing Company in India: Process & Quality Standards
India is one of the world’s largest producers of edible salt, and the standards governing its manufacture are among the most stringent in the food industry. For food companies, retail brands and institutional buyers sourcing edible salt in India, understanding how a credible edible salt manufacturing company operates is essential to making an informed decision.India’s edible salt industry
India produces approximately 30 million metric tonnes of salt annually, with Gujarat contributing over 75% of national output. The manufacture of iodized salt is central to India’s public health framework; FSSAI regulations mandate iodisation of all edible salt sold domestically to address iodine deficiency disorders, which affect a significant portion of the population. Every iodized salt manufacturer operating in India must comply with these standards at every stage of production.The edible salt manufacturing process
A well-run edible salt manufacturing company follows a systematic, multi-stage process:1. Solar evaporation:
Seawater is channelled into shallow evaporation pans where sun and wind remove the water, leaving behind raw salt crystals. Gujarat’s climate makes this the most efficient production method.
2. Harvesting & washing:
Raw salt is harvested and washed with saturated brine to remove surface impurities including clay, silt and biological matter, significantly improving NaCl purity.3. Refining:
Salt undergoes dissolution, filtration and re-crystallisation to achieve food-grade NaCl concentrations of over 99%.4. Drying:
Refined salt is dried to reduce moisture to safe levels, preventing caking and extending shelf life.5. Iodisation:
The critical step in the manufacture of iodized salt. Potassium iodate (KIO₃) is added at 30 ppm, as mandated by FSSAI. Uniform distribution across the batch is essential and requires calibrated dosing equipment and regular in-process testing.6. Grading, anti-caking and packaging:
Salt is screened into defined grades, treated with an approved anti-caking agent for free flow variants, and packed into consumer, institutional or bulk formats.Quality standards every iodized salt manufacturer must Meet
- • FSSAI
