All Episodes

June 21, 2023 17 mins

The next time you reach for the salt, read the label. More often than not, it is iodized salt you’re consuming. Turns out, salt fortified with iodine may actually make you smarter and has changed the world in ways you might have never guessed. 



This episode features Jen Hatmaker, an American author, speaker, blogger, and television presenter, in conversation with Venkatesh Mannar, professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto in Canada and former president of the global Micronutrient Initiative. Jen and Venkatesh discuss iodized salt as an example of low cost, large scale food fortification. This can help deliver essential nutrients to large populations in the world where poor nutrition is a leading risk factor for preventable malnutrition, ensuing cognitive deficiencies, and deaths. Micronutrients, including minerals like iodine, iron, zinc, and vitamins like vitamin A and C, are needed for essential body functions relating to both physical and mental growth and development to help build strong immunity and healthy lives.


Make Me Care About is produced by Magnificent Noise in partnership with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.


To learn more about our show: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/podcast/make-me-care-about

For more on The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s work: https://www.gatesfoundation.org

To learn more about  Iodized Salt:

Nutrition Strategy: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/our-work/programs/global-growth-and-opportunity/nutrition

Doubling down on food fortification to fortify the future: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articles/food-fortification-to-fortify-the-future

For more on the work of our guest,  Venkatesh Mannar: https://cgen.utoronto.ca/about-cgen/people/m-g-venkatesh-mannar/

Learn more about our host, Jen Hatmaker: https://jenhatmaker.com

Our production staff includes Sabrina Farhi, Hiwote Getaneh, Julia Natt, and our sound designer Kristin Mueller. Our Executive Producer is Eric Nuzum and the host is Jen Hatmaker.




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.