What is the main challenge arising from the iodine level in kelp not being standardized?

The lack of consistency prevents establishing a safe, predictable dietary pattern for consumers.

A significant practical difficulty for consumers stems from the fact that iodine levels within kelp are highly variable and not standardized across different batches or sources. This means that one batch might be moderately potent, while another harvested nearby could be dangerously concentrated. This inconsistency is a key hurdle because even if a person meticulously tracks their intake one week, the following week's consumption could be drastically different without any change in their purchasing habits. Consequently, this variability undermines the ability of the consumer to establish a consistent, predictable, and safe dietary pattern regarding iodine exposure.