The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has established the Iodine Expert Working Group to support the review and update of the iodine Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRVs).

This work forms part of an ongoing review of priority NRVs, overseen by the Steering Group comprising representatives from the NHMRC, Australian Government Department of Health, and New Zealand Ministry of Health.

Members of the Iodine Expert Working Group were selected to ensure appropriate expertise in the specific nutrient, general nutrition and dietetics, nutrient deficiency and toxicity, statistics and modelling, systematic reviews, monitoring nutritional status and setting and implementing NRVs.

For further information see Committees advising on the review of Nutrient Reference Values.

Terms of reference

NHMRC has established the Iodine Expert Working Group to support the review and update of the iodine Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRVs). This work forms part of an ongoing review of priority NRVs, overseen by a Steering Group comprising representatives from the NHMRC, Australian Government Department of Health, and New Zealand Ministry of Health.

The Iodine Expert Working Group will:

  1. Advise on the scope of the review of iodine NRVs, with consideration given to:
    • the currency, accuracy and relevance of the existing iodine NRVs
    • relevant international NRVs developed since the existing NRVs
    • members' expertise and knowledge of current evidence
    • any other information deemed relevant by NHMRC.
  2. Advise on the application of the Methodological framework for the Review of Nutrient Reference Values1 to the review.
  3. Advise on the evaluation of evidence to inform revisions to the iodine NRVs, ensuring compliance with the 2016 NHMRC Standards for Guidelines and International best-practice.
  4. Advising on updates to the iodine NRV recommendations, including:
    • developing proposed iodine NRV recommendations
    • advising on the implications of revised recommendations
    • advising on key stakeholders to be included in consultation activities
    • addressing feedback received during consultation and expert review.

1 Australian Government Department of Health. Methodological Framework for the Review of Nutrient Reference Values. Canberra. Commonwealth of Australia; 2020, or as varied by the Steering Group to reflect emerging best-practice.

The Iodine Expert Working Group will report to the Steering Group.

Appointments to the Iodine Expert Working Group will conclude on 31 December 2024.

Members

Member information and disclosure of interests (declarations)

NHMRC asks all committee members to document their interests for consideration by a CEO delegate prior to being appointed to the committee. Members are asked to update their interests during the term of their appointment or as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the interest or that there has been a change in the nature or extent of the interest. Members are asked to consider perceived interests as well as actual interests. A summary of the interests declared by each member is provided within the declarations (below).

Chair,
Associate Professor
Karen
Charlton

School of Medicine, University of Wollongong

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Iodine
  • Diet and lifestyle interventions across the lifespan
  • Nutrient deficiency/ toxicity
  • Monitoring nutritional status in population groups and group/ project management

Declaration

  • Co-authored several publications regarding iodine, including peer reviewed journal articles that recommend supplementation of iodine by pregnant and lactating women in Australia.
  • Previously co-authored publications with one of the evidence reviewers that have received the tender to conduct the systematic literature review process.
  • Member of Expert Working Group on revision of Nutrient Reference Values for Iodine (2012/13)
  • Editor and Associate Editor of scientific publications Nutrition & Dietetics, Nutrients, International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Pork CRC grant recipient

Associate Professor
Sheila
Skeaff

Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Setting NRVs
  • Iodine
  • Children and pregnancy and research

Declaration

  • Research and travel grants recipient; 2020-present: Garden to Table Trust, 2021-present: Otago Farmers Market Trust, 2016 Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust
  • Collaborations and funding from agencies for iodine-related research including Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand, ETH Zurich Switzerland, Massey University, Deakin University, Curtin University, NHMRC
  • Publications including scientific articles, book chapters and conference abstracts on the topic of iodine

Dr
Emma
Beckett

School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • End user and nutrient deficiency/ toxicity

Declaration

  • 2016 AMP Foundation Tomorrow-maker grant recipient: Taste and Gut Bacteria pilot study
  • Freelance work for Kellogg's Australia 3 appearances (podcast and annual strategy day 2018, podcast 2019)
  • Consultancy work on fibre Messaging (ongoing 2020 & 2021)
  • Provide training as a contractor to Comm-it
  • Freelance Media engagement Various written works, podcasts and TV
  • Appearance at annual AMP foundation in house launch
  • Webinar for Dietitians Connection on Wholegrains – sponsored by Arnotts
  • Research Funding from Nutrition Research Australia

Dr
Shao (Jo)
Zhou

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Iodine
  • Pregnancy and early childhood and end user needs

Declaration

  • Involved in a NHMRC funded pregnancy iodine intervention study, the iodine supplements used in the study were donated by Blackmores. Blackmores had no influence and the design of the study, data collection, data analysis and interpretation of the study
  • Publication and speaking invitations regarding iodine
  • Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, Editorial Board Member of Maternal & Child Nutrition
  • Involved in a Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation funded study investigating iodine nutrition in pregnancy on executive function of children
  • Involved in a NHMRC funded study where one of the objectives of the study is to assess the impact of mandatory iodine and folic acid fortification of bread
  • Involved in a current MRFF funded pregnancy iodine intervention study, the iodine supplements used in the study will be donated by Factors Group of Companies, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. Factors Group has no influence on the study design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation of the study

Dr
Mu
Li

(Commenced 23 February 2020)
Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

Relevant experience

  • Clinical science research
  • Public health research
  • Nutrition
  • Iodine
  • Monitoring nutritional status in population groups
  • Public health program evaluation
  • Policy translation

Declaration

  • Member of Advisory Group, APRU Global Health Program (2018-present)
  • Provided technical advice to the Iodine Nutrition Status and Thyroid Function in Pregnant Indigenous women in Central Australia (CAINS) Study
  • Board member of the Australian Centre for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ACCIDD), which is a non-for profit, non-government organisation
  • Various publications, books, and conference abstracts on iodine
  • Board member of the Iodine Global Network (IGN), which is a non-profit, non-government organization for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency worldwide
  • Technical Expert for maternal child health and nutrition in the Association of Pacific Rim Universities Global Health Program
  • Convener of the Sydney Global Maternal and Child Health Network

Dr
Rosalind
Dalefield

(Commenced August 2022)
Senior Toxicologist, Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Relevant experience

  • Toxicology, including human health risk assessment for food safety

Declaration

  • Senior Toxicologist with Food Standards Australia New Zealand
  • Full International Member of the Society of Toxicology
  • Currently on the World Health Organization (WHO) roster of experts for the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)

Professor
Duncan
Topliss

(Commenced August 2022)
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Hospital

Relevant experience

  • Senior endocrinologist
  • Clinical practice guideline development and implementation expertise

Declaration

  • Investigator in drug trials in thyroid cancer and diabetes
  • Participation in industry-sponsored symposia on diabetes and thyroid cancer management. GP symposium and type 2 diabetes management sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, 2019. Symposium at Endocrine Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting on advanced thyroid cancer management sponsored by Eisai, 2019. Webinar on thyroid cancer case studies sponsored by Eisai, 2022
  • Member of TGA Advisory Committee on Medicines.

Dr
Elizabeth
Neale

(Commenced August 2022)
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Research expertise including systematic reviews and meta-analyses in nutrition for the purposes of developing NRVs

Declaration

  • Funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited and Nuts for Life to support a range of research activities
  • Funding from the Australian Health and Nutrition Association Limited to conduct research activities
  • Competitive grant from the Hass Avocado Board to conduct research activities
  • Competitive grant from the California Walnut Commission to conduct research activities
  • Competitive grant from Australian Eggs to conduct research activities
  • Competitive grant from the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council to conduct research activities
  • Competitive grant from the Pork Cooperative Research Centre to fund research activities
  • Research assistance to the Expert Working Group in the review of the 2006 sodium Nutrient Reference Values
  • Systematic Review Editor and Member of Editorial Board, Nutrition and Dietetics

Ms
Judy
Seal

(2018 to August 2023)
Public Health Nutrition, Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Iodine
  • End user needs
  • Nutrient deficiency/ toxicity
  • Monitoring nutritional status in population groups and implementation of NRVs into relevant public health policy

Declaration

  • Member of the former NRV Iodine Expert Working Group, Member of the Tasmanian Ministerial Thyroid Advisory Committee, Member of the Public Health Association of Australia and Executive member of the Food and Nutrition Special Interest Group, Member of the Dietitians Association of Australia, Member of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Employee of the Department of Health, Tasmania
  • Publication and conference presentations regarding iodine

Dr
Nick
Fletcher

(2018 to 2022)
Principal Toxicologist and Risk Assessor, WSP New Zealand

Relevant experience

  • Nutrient deficiency/ toxicity

Professor
Helena
Teede

(2020 to 2022)
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University

Relevant experience

  • Senior clinical endocrinologist
  • Epidemiology and healthcare improvement
  • Guideline and evidence translation expertise