genuinely why?

ive looked it up and ive seen how salt is back in grounded and it literally cannot be used. im so confused as to why Obsidian would add salt to the game if it wont serve a purpose for months. now yes, I know pinecones were in the same situation when the game initially launched, but pinecones arent a main character in one of the key mechanics in the game; elements! they got my hopes up by putting salt in the game, especially in the update where almost EVERYTHING is weak to salt, and then BLOCKING IT OFF?! im no game developer but cant you just keep it in the files and bring it out when youre ready to use it? its like changing that candy apple in the wartorn anthill to a jawbreaker 2 updates before it can be broken, like why? there's no point to adding something to a project if its gonna be useless for months