CVM GFI #203 Ensuring Safety of Animal Feed Maintained and Fed On-Farm

Description

This guidance is intended to help animal producers (persons who feed farm animals) develop procedures and practices to ensure the use of safe feed in animal production. It applies to all feed offered to farm animals, whether the feed is obtained from commercial suppliers, or produced on the farm. It also applies to products consumed by animals during pasture grazing, pre- or post- harvest grazing, free-range feeding, and forage-crop feeding.

Key Topics

Terms and concepts identified from this document

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

2

Animal Feed

The primary product category regulated by this guidance.

Medicated Feed

manufactured using Type A medicated article

Stakeholders

4

Veterinarian

Professional providing oversight for antimicrobial drug use; Veterinarian is to determine the actual duration that the drug will be used; Professional ordering the duration of use for antimicrobial drugs

animal producers

intended to help animal producers develop procedures and practices to ensure the use of safe feed

State feed control officials

Provide information on state requirements and contaminants

Applicator

Must have appropriate certification to apply Restricted Use Pesticides

Regulatory Context

Document Types

2

Certificate of Analysis

Document indicating analytical results of testing; record relied on to control L. monocytogenes in ingredients; document provided for a food prior to or upon receipt of the food; COA documentation

Labeling

Cybersecurity information should be included in device labeling

Attributes

2

maximum tolerance levels

Many states have established maximum tolerance levels for certain types of feed contaminants

Withdrawal Times

Required times to wait before slaughter or milk collection

Technical Details

Substances

6

pesticides

Used in wash water during harvesting or packing; including using pesticides in wash water.

fertilizers

considerations when using pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals

selenium

example of selenium toxicity in Appendix A; Essential nutrient that is a potential chemical contaminant at excessive levels

Mycotoxins

Potential chemical contaminants include natural toxins (e.g., mycotoxins).

Aflatoxin

Example of a mycotoxin; Brazil nuts—adulteration with aflatoxin; Mycotoxin associated with peanuts and corn; Applicable mycotoxin for dried figs, corn, rice, and nuts

Salmonella Enteritidis

Pathogen targeted for prevention in shell eggs.; The goal is to prevent SE in shell eggs during production.; National reservoirs in populations of wild birds

Testing Methods

2

sampling and testing of feed

actions that can help ensure feed safety

Analytical laboratory testing

Used to ensure safety specifications of the feed are met

Processes

2

feed manufacture

This document does not address feed manufacture, which may also occur on farms

All in - All out

System that prevents spread of disease from one batch to another

Clinical Concepts

1

Pathogenic

A tier of variant assertion indicating disease-causing potential.

Identified Hazards

Hazards

4

Feed contaminant

any biological, chemical (including radiological), or physical agent that has the potential to cause illness or injury

Unacceptable feed risk

occurs when the level of a feed contaminant in feed is reasonably likely to cause illness or injury

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Causative agent requiring inactivation controls

Dioxin

environmental contaminants (e.g., dioxin) may result from accidental contamination of animal feed

Standards & References

External Standards

2

AAFCO Quality Assurance/Quality Control Guidelines

Guidelines for State Feed Laboratories

AAFCO Feed Inspector's Manual

Source for appropriate sampling procedures

Specifications

3

Maximum tolerance levels

State requirements for certain contaminants in animal feed

20 ppb

Action level for root vegetables and dry infant cereals; 20 ppb for single-ingredient root vegetables; and 20 ppb for dry infant cereals

5.0 ppm

Concentration limit for selenium in swine feed

Related CFR Sections (2)

21CFR589.2000§ 589.2000 Animal proteins prohibited in ruminant feed.
(a) Definitions —Read full regulation →
21CFR589.2001§ 589.2001 Cattle materials prohibited in animal food or feed to prevent the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prohibit the use of certain cattle origin materials in the food or feed of all animals to further reduce the risk of the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) within the United States.Read full regulation →

Enforcement Impact

Deficiencies cited in Warning Letters referencing the same regulations

Failure to evaluate raw materials for mycotoxins

3

Super-potent concentration of monensin

3

Failure to sufficiently assess the probability that a hazard will occur

2

Failure to implement a written food safety plan

2

Failure to sufficiently assess the probability that a hazard will occur in the absence of preventive controls

1

Failure to conduct a hazard analysis to identify and evaluate known or reasonably foreseeable hazards

1

Failure to report a reportable food to the RFR within twenty-four hours

1

Misbranded animal food

1

Failure to properly identify drugs in the mixing areas

1

Adulterated animal food

1