DISCUSSION PAPER /GUIDANCE ABOUT SELENIUM IN FEEDS
There is a requirement to label feeds specifically when they contain selenium at a rate greater than
3ppm (3mg per kg).
The following is taken from the ACVM website to help guide you in the labelling requirements for
your feeds.
Note: there is an absolute maximum selenium amount for inclusion in feeds (300ppm or mg/kg).
Warnings and information about certain ingredients must be included so that users can make
informed decisions about using the product. In particular it is important that supplements containing
potentially dangerous ingredients are labelled adequately.
The following is a guide when labelling Oral Nutrition Compound (ONC) products containing the trace
elements selenium and copper:
Dosing selenium products
Preparations containing soluble selenium
Feed supplements and premixes
Label information required
Should deliver an oral dose of not more than 0.1mg
selenium per kilogram live weight, not more than every 3
weeks
OR
Should deliver daily an amount of selenium no greater than
five times the recommended daily selenium requirement (up
to 10µg per kilogram live weight per day) .
May contain no more than 300ppm (0.03%) selenium.
1. Dose rate of selenium.
2. The word ‘selenium’ in BOLD PRINT, except for products
containing 3 mg per kg or mg/L of selenium or less.
3. The statement or similar: “Do not use at the same time as
any other selenised fertiliser, prill or product and do not
exceed the stated dose or frequency without consulting a
veterinarian.”
Examples of what is seen on a selenium warning label
Capability and precautions
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Only use where selenium deficiency has been diagnosed
Do not use at the same time as any other selenised fertiliser, prill or product without
consulting a veterinarian
Contact your animal health adviser or veterinarian for more information
Do not exceed stated dose and frequency
Frequent monitoring of your stock’s selenium status with blood and/or liver testing is
recommended
Do not administer more than seven 3-weekly doses per year
Do not add this product to worm drenches (anthelmintics) as they may be physically
incompatible - if selenium is needed in the worm drench, a product with selenium already
added (called "mineralised" or "selenised" drenches) should be used.