A Ministry of Health report indicates that China can most likely reach its goal of eradicating iodine deficiency-related diseases this year.

The report is based on a survey conducted in 31 provinces, municipalities and ethnic autonomous regions.

In 23 of these areas, 70 percent of the iodized salt sold to local residents is up to the standards.

The Tibet Autonomous Region is the only provincial area where children between ages 8 and 10 failed to pass tests on the iodine content in their system.

Less than 20 percent of local children of the same age group in 28 provincial areas suffered from goiters, or enlarged thyroid glands in the neck, the report says.

(China Internet Information Center)