Animal Food & Feeds 

Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) approves safe food additives for livestock feed and horse and pet food; monitors and establishes standards for animal feed contaminants; and manages the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) medicated feed and pet food programs. [1]

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

The FSMA reformed food safety laws in 2011 by shifting the focus from responding to contamination of the food supply to preventing it. The law applies to human food as well as to food for animals, including pets. The major requirements for animal food safety are listed in the Preventive Controls for Animal Food At-A-Glance Fact Sheet.

Veterinary Feed Directive Drugs (VFD)

A veterinary feed directive drug is a drug intended for use in or on animal feed, which is limited by an approved new animal drug application. When a new animal drug application is submitted to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, it is evaluated for safety and effectiveness. As part of the review process, the Center determines whether the drug will be an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, a prescription drug, or a VFD drug (limited to drugs used in or on animal feed).[2] Learn more about the Veterinary Feed Directive here.

  • Veterinary Feed Directive Final Rule on Antibiotics (February 2020)

The Veterinary Feed Directive final rule is an important part of the FDA’s overall strategy to ensure the judicious use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals. The FDA has moved to eliminate the use of antibiotics for production purposes (i.e., growth promotion and feed efficiency) and bring their remaining therapeutic uses in feed and water under the supervision of licensed veterinarians to ensure these drugs are used judiciously and only when appropriate for specific animal health purposes.

The final rule requires veterinarians to issue all VFDs within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR). The rule specifies the key elements that define a VCPR - that the veterinarian engage with the client (animal producer, owner, etc.) to assume responsibility for making clinical judgments about patient (animal) health, have sufficient knowledge of the patient by virtue of patient examination and/or visits to the facility where the patient is managed, and provide for any necessary follow-up evaluation or care. The FDA defers to individual states for the specific criteria for acceptable veterinary conduct when those state standards require a VCPR for the issuance of a VFD and include the key elements of the federal VCPR standard.  For those states with VCPR requirements that do not include the federally defined key elements, or that do not require a VCPR for issuing a VFD, the FDA requires adherence to the federally defined VCPR). [3]

To learn more, see the February 2020 FDA Fact Sheet: Veterinary Feed Directive Final Rule and Next Steps

Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)

The Code of Federal Regulations focusing on Animal Drugs, Feeds, and Related Products is found under Title 21, Chapter 1, Subchapter E. This code addresses animal food labeling, new drugs, food and drinking water additives, irradiation, affirmed safe substances and prohibited substances, food manufacturing, and feed mill licenses. The code is continually updated. To access current information, select Chapter 1, Browse Parts 500-599 here.

Medicated Feed Mill License

 The FDA requires facilities that manufacture certain types of medicated feed to obtain a medicated feed mill license. Under the above-mentioned e-CFR, Parts 515.10-515.40 address medicated feed mill licensing. See the above link for current regulations and guidance.

Animal Food Facility Registration

Owners, operators, or agents in charge of either a domestic or foreign facility that is engaged in manufacturing/processing, packing, or holding of food for animal consumption in the United States, must register with the FDA. See details here.

For more information on animal food and feeds, including up-to-date regulations and data, visit the FDA’s  Animal Food & Feeds page.

 

Updated by Tina Allen, November 2020