Dietary supplement law not applicable to products for animals

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

As recommended by the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, the Executive Board approved a statement supporting the FDA-CVM's position that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 does not apply to products intended for oral administration to animals. It defines supplements to be used in humans.

Moreover, the AVMA does not believe the act should be modified to include animals. This issue arose after the Association of American Feed Control Officials in March withdrew its intent to draft a regulatory framework for state feed control officials regarding the sale of nutraceuticals or "novel ingredients." AAFCO withdrew after determining that the draft plan was outside its authority.

The feed industry has suggested applying the dietary act to supplement products for animals. However, the CVM has determined that this law does not apply to similar ingredients marketed for animals.