Step 1: Understanding iodized salt.
- Potassium iodide (KI) is the most commonly used form of iodine in iodized salt because it is stable and easily absorbed by the body.
Step 2: Explanation of incorrect options.
- \( I_2 \) (A): Molecular iodine is too unstable to be used in iodized salt.
- \( KIO_3 \) (B): Potassium iodate, which can be converted into KI, is sometimes used but is less common.
- NaI (D): Sodium iodide is used less frequently than KI in iodized salt.
Step 3: Selecting the correct option.
Since potassium iodide (KI) is the most stable and widely used form of iodine in iodized salt, the correct answer is (C) KI.