Feed Laws and Labeling
Appreciating the legal aspects of feed
manufacturing
• Manufacture and distribution of commercial
feeds are regulated primarily through
respective State Departments of Agriculture in
accordance with each State’s laws.
AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control
Officials
Purpose:
“Provide a mechanism, for developing and
implementing uniform and equitable laws,
regulations, standards, definitions, and
enforcement policies for regulating the
manufacture, labeling, distribution and sale of
animal feeds; resulting in safe, effective, and useful
feeds. The Association thereby promotes new ideas
and innovative procedures and urges their adoption
by member agencies, for uniformity”
Functions of Feed Regulations
Defined by AAFCO
• Provide protection for the consumer as well s
the regulated industry.
• Safeguard the health of man and animals.
• Provide a structure for orderly commerce.
Uniform State Feed Bill
Model Bill
• Officially adopted by AAFCO
• Guideline for respective states – published
annually
• www.aafco.org
• Endorsed by:
– American Feed Industry Association
– National Grain and Feed Association
– Pet Food Institute
Registration
• Every manufacturer must register each facility
in the state.
• Must register commercial feeds.
• Registration forms are obtained from FDA.
• Will need additional forms if drugs are
included as additives.
• Fees are assessed by tonnage distributed
Labeling
• Required for all commercial feed products
– Identify the product
– Inform the user of the nature of the product
– Inform the user of the intended purpose
– Provide instruction on how to use the product
– Convey particular precautions
LABELING REGULATIONS
• Regulations specify
– minimum information provided on the label
– optional information that can be included
– information prohibited from being put on the
label of a feed product.
– Unsubstantiated performance claims can be
as misleading as unsubstantiated nutrient
claims.
– Labels must be affixed to bags of feed (except
custom)
LABELING REGULATIONS
• Minor differences exist from state to state,
but feed labels generally contain the
following:
– Product Name
– Purpose statement.
– Guaranteed analysis.
– List of ingredients.
– Directions for use.
– Warnings, if any.
– Name and address of manufacturer.
– Net weight.
LABELING REGULATIONS
• Labeling must also direct proper use of the
product = Purpose Statement
– Must contain the specific species and
physiological stage if appropriate
• Swine – Grower 44 – 110 pounds
• Pasture extender for beef cattle
– Directions may be as simple as naming the
species for which the feed is intended.
– Or could provide a lengthy explanation as to how
the feed should be fed.
LABELING REGULATIONS
• Custom feeds (prepared for a specific customer)
are to be accompanied by a label, delivery slip, or
other shipping document containing :
– Name & address of the manufacturer.
– Name & address of the purchaser; Date of delivery.
– Product name & brand name, if any.
– Net weight of each ingredient used in the mixture.
– Adequate directions for use of feeds containing
drugs or other ingredients to ensure their safe use.
– Such precautionary statements as are necessary
for safe and effective use of the feed.
LABELING REGULATIONS
Ingredient Lists
• Ingredients to be listed in order of amount.
– Starting with the item in highest concentration,
and continuing with those found in smaller
quantities.
• Names of ingredients must be official
registered names as defined by AAFCO.
• No reference to quality or grade shall
appear.
Collective Term Ingredients
• Often used to prevent registration of each new product
when grain nutrient concentrations change.
• Allows companies flexibility and economical savings.
• Recognize a general classification of ingredient origin,
which provide a similar function, but do not imply
equivalent nutritional value
• Official terms include: Animal protein products, forage
products, grain products, plant protein products,
processed grain by-products, roughage products,
molasses products
Collective Ingredients
• Animal Protein Products
1. Shrimp meal
2. Hydrolyzed hair
3. Hydrolyzed poultry feathers
4. Meat and bone meal
5. All of the above
6. None of the above
Collective Ingredients
• Forage Products
1. Ground grass
2. Alfalfa meal, dehydrated
3. Soybean hay
4. Brewers rice
5. All of the above
Collective Ingredients
• Grain products
1. Brewers rice
2. Oats
3. Corn
4. Barley
5. Soybean Meal
6. All of the above
Collective Ingredients
• Processed Grain By-Products
1. Corn gluten meal
2. Corn gluten feed
3. Buckwheat middlings
4. Rice bran
5. Oat groats
6. Mixed feed oats
7. All of the above
Labeling: Guaranteed Analysis
• Required based on species
• Voluntary nutrients can be added
Swine GA Requirements
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Crude Protein = Minimum %
Lysine = Minimum %
Crude fat = Minimum %
Crude fiber = Maximum %
Calcium = Minimum & Maximum %
Phosphorus = Minimum %
Salt = Minimum & Maximum %
Selenium = Minimum ppm
Zinc = Minimum ppm
GA Requirements for Labeling
Label Standard Format
Non Medicated Feed
• Brand & Product Name
• Purpose statement
• Guaranteed analysis
• List of ingredients
• Directions for use (including
any warning or caution
statements)
• Name and address of
manufacturer
• Quantity statement
Medicated Feed
• Brand & Product Name
• The word “medicated”
• Purpose statement
• Drug purpose statement
• Guaranteed analysis
• List of ingredients
• Directions for use (including any
warning or caution statements)
• Name and address of
manufacturer
• Quantity statement
Beef Complete and Supplement Feeds
BLUE BIRD BEEF FEED
Pasture Extender for Beef Cattle
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude protein (Min)
12%
(This includes not more than 2.9% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen)
Crude fat (Min)
2.0%
Crude fiber (Max)
10.0%
Calcium (Min)
0.5%
Calcium (Max)
1.0%
Phosphorus (Min)
0.5%
Salt (Min)
11.0%
Salt (Max)
13.2%
Potassium (Min)
0.4%
Vitamin A (Min)
10,000 IU/Lb
Ingredient Statement
Grain products, plant protein products, molasses products, urea, mineral pre-mix, vitamin A supplement, Vitamin E supplement
Feeding Directions = Self-feed to beef cattle on pasture. Feed 4 – 6 Lb per head per day as a pasture extender.
Caution = Use as directed. Observe cattle daily and monitor intake. Do not feed additional salt.
Manufactured by:
Blue Bird Feed Mill
City, State, Zip
NET WT 50 LB (22.67 Kg)