#203 
 
Guidance for Industry 
 
Ensuring Safety of Animal Feed 
Maintained and Fed On-Farm 
 
Submit comments on this guidance at any time.  Submit electronic comments to 
http://www.regulations.gov.  Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management 
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 
20852.  All comments should be identified with the docket number FDA-2014-D-1180. 
 
For further information regarding this guidance document, contact Phares Okelo, Center for 
Veterinary Medicine (HFV-226), Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish Place, 
Rockville, MD  20855, 240-402-5921, E-mail: Phares.Okelo@fda.hhs.gov. 
 
Additional copies of this guidance document may be requested from the Policy and Regulations 
Staff (HFV-6), Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish 
Place, Rockville, MD  20855, and may be viewed on the Internet at either 
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/GuidanceforIndustry/d
efault.htm or http://www.regulations.gov. 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Food and Drug Administration 
Center for Veterinary Medicine 
March 2016 
    Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 3 
II. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 3 
III. DEFINITIONS OF FEED CONTAMINANT AND UNACCEPTABLE FEED RISK AND 
THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIP .......................................................................................... 3 
IV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR ANIMAL FEED SAFETY ON THE 
FARM .................................................................................................................................... 4 
V. APPLICATION OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR ANIMAL FEED 
SAFETY ON THE FARM..................................................................................................... 5 
A.  How can I address unacceptable feed risks at my farm? ....................................................... 5 
B.  What feed safety practices should I follow on my farm? ...................................................... 6 
C.  What feed safety practices should I follow when I provide pasture, forage, or bedding to 
my animals? ................................................................................................................................. 7 
D.  What feed safety precautions should I take in animal feeding? ............................................ 8 
E.  What feed safety precautions should I take in intensive animal feeding units? ..................... 9 
F.  What should I consider when I use pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals? 9 
G.  What are the feed safety considerations in labeling? ........................................................... 10 
H.  What are the other feed safety considerations on my farm? ................................................ 11 
I.  What feed safety factors are important in personnel training?.............................................. 12 
J.  What actions assist in identifying the origins of feed? ......................................................... 12 
K.  If I want to have a feed sample analyzed, what should I keep in mind? ............................. 12 
L.  What should I do if I have concerns about the safety of my animal feed? .......................... 13 
VI. APPENDIX A - FEED CONTAMINANT AND UNACCEPTABLE FEED RISK 
EXAMPLES ........................................................................................................................ 14 
 
   
2  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
Guidance for Industry 
 
Ensuring Safety of Animal Feed 
Maintained and Fed On-Farm 
 
This guidance represents the current thinking of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or 
Agency) on this topic.  It does not establish any rights for any person and is not binding on FDA 
or the public.  You can use an alternative approach if it satisfies the requirements of the 
applicable statutes and regulations.  To discuss an alternative approach, contact the FDA staff 
responsible for this guidance as listed on the title page. 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
 
This guidance is intended to help animal producers develop procedures and practices to ensure 
the use of safe feed in animal production.  It applies to all feed offered to farm animals,1 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. 
 
In general, FDAs guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities.  
Instead, guidances describe the Agencys current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only 
as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited.  The use of 
the word should in Agency guidance means that something is suggested or recommended, but 
not required. 
 
II. BACKGROUND 
 
This document is intended to help animal producers (persons who feed farm animals) develop 
and implement on-farm practices to ensure the safety of animal feed maintained and fed to 
animals on-farm.  In this document farm means animal production units (for example, 
integrated poultry grower operations, swine finishing units, and cattle feedlots).  This document 
outlines basic measures which may be taken to maintain the safety of all types of feed held on 
the farm for use in animal production.  This guidance document recommends establishing 
measures to ensure acquisition of safe feed and maintenance of its safety until the feed is offered 
to animals in the farm environment.  This document does not address feed manufacture, which 
may also occur on farms. 
 
III. DEFINITIONS OF FEED CONTAMINANT AND UNACCEPTABLE FEED RISK 
AND THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIP 
 
The main purpose of animal feed used on-farm is to provide the nutrition necessary to support 
production of meat, milk and eggs.  Unfortunately, on occasion, feed can be the source of 
                                                
1 For the purposes of this guidance, farm animals include all food-producing animals and horses. 
3  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
contaminants that may adversely affect the health/production of farm animals and/or the safety 
of food produced by farm animals.  The following definitions are relevant to determining when 
animal feed is unsafe for animal consumption. 
 
Feed contaminant, for purposes of this guidance, means any biological, chemical (including 
radiological), or physical agent that if present in feed has the potential to cause illness or injury 
to animals or humans. (See Appendix A for examples of feed contaminants). 
 
Unacceptable feed risk, for purposes of this guidance, occurs when the level of a feed 
contaminant in feed is reasonably likely to cause illness or injury in animals or humans.  (See 
Appendix A for examples of unacceptable feed risks). 
 
Significantly minimize, for purposes of this guidance, means to reduce to an acceptable level, 
including to eliminate. 
 
The presence of a feed contaminant in feed does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe for animal 
consumption.  Only when the contaminant present in the feed reaches the level (e.g., 
concentration of biological, chemical, physical, or radiological agent) that is reasonably likely to 
cause illness or injury to animals or to people consuming the meat, milk or eggs derived from the 
animals, is it considered an unacceptable feed risk. Many states have established maximum 
tolerance levels for certain types of feed contaminants, specifically mineral tolerances. 
 
A dietary level of an essential nutrient in animal feed that is below the level recommended for 
the identified animal species could result in an unacceptable feed risk if it is reasonably likely to 
cause illness or injury to animals.  Similarly, when certain essential nutrients are above 
recommended levels in an animal feed, this also could result in an unacceptable feed risk if it is 
reasonably likely to cause illness or injury to animals.  See the example of selenium toxicity in 
Appendix A. 
 
Animal feed containing feed contaminants at levels that pose an unacceptable feed risk should 
not be offered to animals for consumption. 
 
This document contains recommendations for preventing and significantly minimizing feed 
contaminants that may be associated with your farm so that they will not result in unacceptable 
feed risks that can jeopardize the health of farm animals and the safety of human food derived 
from those animals. 
 
IV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR ANIMAL FEED SAFETY ON 
THE FARM 
 
We encourage you to consider the following principles and practices as means of ensuring the 
safety of the feed you give your animals: 
 
   
4  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
A.  Know what feed contaminants may be present in your animals feed and the measures 
known to prevent such contaminants from becoming unacceptable feed risks; 
B.  Obtain feed from safe and reliable sources; 
C.  Recognize unexpected changes in the feed at your farm (e.g., changes in color, smell, 
texture, or appearance); 
D.  Know where in your animal production system(s) unacceptable feed risks may occur; 
E.  Monitor animal feed products for contaminants during receiving, holding, and handling; 
and, 
F.  Be aware that other actions, such as limiting access to the premises to authorized 
personnel, following feed labeling directions, proper personnel training, and sampling 
and testing of feed, can help ensure feed safety. 
 
The remainder of this guidance expands on these general principles and practices and how they 
should be applied to ensure animal feed safety on the farm. 
 
V. APPLICATION OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR ANIMAL 
FEED SAFETY ON THE FARM 
 
A.  How can I address unacceptable feed risks at my farm? 
 
We recommend that you: 
1.  Identify feed contaminants that may be associated with your farm.  Both U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative Extension Service (in conjunction with land-grant 
universities) and FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) have information they 
can provide to help you learn more about contaminants likely to occur at your type of 
feeding operation.  Some useful information may be obtained by performing web 
searches under the following programs: 
 
a.  The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) education and 
outreach programs on Animal and Animal Products, and Animal Nutrition and 
Growth (http://nifa.usda.gov/); 
 
b.  FDAs Animal Feed Safety System articles on food safety 
(http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/AnimalFeedSafetySystemA
FSS/ucm350745.htm); 
 
c.  Land-grant university web sites and private publications may also be of 
assistance. 
 
2.  Use the recommendations in the following sections to prevent or significantly minimize 
feed contaminants so that they do not become causes of unacceptable feed risks. 
 
   
5  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
B.  What feed safety practices should I follow on my farm? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
1. Know the requirements for animal feed in your state. Many states have requirements 
designed to help ensure feed safety, including requirements relating to maximum 
tolerance levels2 for certain contaminants in animal feed.  Do not provide your animals 
feed that contains feed contaminants above the maximum tolerance levels (where they 
exist).  Your state feed control officials will be able to help provide information on your 
states requirements. 
 
2.  Do not provide your animals feed products that contain feed contaminants such as 
industrial chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens, mycotoxins, or foreign material 
(e.g., stones, metals, or glass) at levels that would be considered an unacceptable feed 
risk.  In addition to the sources listed in section V.A.1, your state feed control officials 
and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Official Publication 
(http//www.aafco.org) may be sources of information on animal feed contaminants. 
 
3.  Obtain feed from safe and reliable sources.  Examples of safe feed sources may include 
commercial suppliers known for delivering safe feed products.  Ask each of your 
suppliers whether they are operating under an animal feed quality assurance program and 
if medicated feed is produced in compliance with applicable current Good Manufacturing 
Practice (CGMP) regulations (21 CFR part 225). 
 
4.  Ensure the safety specifications3 of the feed are met by implementing measures such as 
reviewing the suppliers Certificate of Analysis (COA) indicating safety specifications of 
the feed are met or reviewing results of analytical laboratory testing of feed samples 
completed by a qualified testing facility4 that uses appropriate analytical methods.  In 
addition, a simple physical examination of the feed may identify abnormalities. Using 
several of these safety specification measures would help increase assurance that animal 
feed products you receive are safe. 
 
5.  Store, transport, and offer the feed to animals in a manner that will prevent or 
significantly minimize: infestation of the feed with pests (e.g., rodents and insects), pet 
(e.g., dogs and cats) contact with the feed, and introduction of contaminants into the feed 
(e.g., medicated feed products in non-medicated feed, pesticides, pathogens, molds, or 
foreign materials), or conditions (e.g., elevated moisture levels) that can cause 
unacceptable feed risks. 
 
   
                                                
2 Mineral Tolerance of Domestic Animals. National Academy of Science/National Research Council.1980. Washington DC 
3 Some useful resources include: 1) 21 CFR Part 509 - Unavoidable Contaminants in Animal Food and Food Packaging Material 
(http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov), 2) Guidance for Industry:  Action Levels for Poisonous or Deleterious Substances in Human Food 
and Animal Feed 
http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocumentsregulatoryinformation/chemicalcontaminantsmetalsnaturaltoxins
pesticides/ucm077969.htm). 
4 Examples of such facilities include Agricultural Feed Laboratories that have adopted the AAFCO Quality Assurance/Quality 
Control Guidelines for State Feed Laboratories. 
6  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
6.  Take steps to prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants in 
feed. The occurrence of mycotoxins in grain and other feed commodities can be 
prevented or significantly minimized by providing environmental conditions during 
storage and transport that prevent or significantly minimize the growth of mycotoxin-
producing molds.  Implementation of an effective pest control program can prevent or 
significantly minimize contamination caused by pests.  Additionally, regular and 
adequate cleaning of animal feeding areas and equipment can prevent or significantly 
minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants caused by the accumulation of filth.  Your 
local agricultural extension service may provide guidance on pest control and good 
storage practices.  For more information, see the website for the USDA Cooperative 
Research Education and Extension Services education and outreach programs on Pest 
Management; 
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=cooperative_research_extensi
on_services.xml 
 
7.  Observe feed consumption patterns of your animals.  Unexpected changes in feed 
consumption patterns can be a good indicator of the occurrence of feed contaminants or 
unacceptable feed risks in the feed. 
 
8.  Make sure any equipment used for feed handling such as loaders, mixers, and 
conveyance devices is dedicated for feed handling.  Using the same equipment for both 
feed and non-feed-related purposes can increase the potential for introduction of feed 
contaminants into the feed. 
 
C.  What feed safety practices should I follow when I provide pasture, forage, or bedding to 
my animals? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
1.  Make sure all feed obtained from pastures has been produced using good agricultural 
practices (GAPs) for pasture and forage.  For the purposes of this guidance, GAPs are 
those practices which may improve the safety and quality of crops grown for animal feed 
and relate to the following areas: soil quality, management of farm manures, water 
quality, product handling by personnel, and cleanliness of production equipment and 
work surfaces.  Although no one source has information covering each of these areas, we 
recommend that you consult the following resources for further information:  
http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp/audit, 
http://umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/quality/usda-good-agricultural-practices-good-
handling-practices-gapghp/ or  "Guide to good dairy farming practice 2004" 
ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/006/y5224e/y5224e00.pdf, specifically sections on animal 
feeding and water.  In addition, other resources such as feed industry and producer 
organizations may have useful information. 
 
2.  Apply all relevant safe feeding practices outlined in this guidance document when your 
animals use pastures or when they graze on pre- or post-harvest crop residuals (e.g., 
stover and stubble). 
 
7  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
3.  Use safe pasture/fodder management practices, such as rotational grazing, allowing 
adequate time between dispersion of animal waste (manure, bedding, etc.) in pastures, 
and grazing or forage harvesting, to prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of 
feed contaminants and exposure of your animals to these contaminants. 
 
4.  Locate pastures in environments not subject or prone to exposure to feed contaminants 
from outside sources such as industrial facilities, runoff, ground water, floodwater, or 
airborne feed contaminants. 
 
5.  Ensure materials purchased or grown to provide bedding for animals, such as straw and 
wood shavings, have been produced using GAPs 
(http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp/audit, 
http://umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/quality/usda-good-agricultural-practices-good-
handling-practices-gapghp/). 
 
6.  Ensure bedding materials for animals are free from contaminants that may cause 
unacceptable feed risks if consumed, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled (e.g., dioxins 
in wood products and pesticides in straw). 
 
7.  Store or dispose of farm equipment and chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) 
in areas not used to feed, house, and pasture animals. 
 
D.  What feed safety precautions should I take in animal feeding? 
 
In accordance with applicable federal regulations, you are required to: 
 
1.  Ensure certain animal protein products, which could be a source of the Bovine 
Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) agent, are not used in feed for ruminant animals (21 
CFR  589.2000) or certain cattle origin materials in the food or feed of all animals (21 
CFR 589.2001), as applicable. 
 
In addition, we recommend that you: 
 
2.  Store, distribute, and use feed in ways that will maintain feed safety and prevent or 
significantly minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants.  For example, you should not 
store feed in facilities that are used for other purposes or distribute feed using equipment 
used in other operations if these practices would lead to the introduction of feed 
contaminants. 
 
3.  Use proper procedures to ensure you are giving each animal the correct feed. 
 
4.  Rotate your feed so the oldest is used first. 
 
5.  Clearly identify and remove for disposal any feed that would cause unacceptable feed 
risks for the targeted animals. 
 
8  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
6.  Ensure the drinking water supply for the animals on your farm is maintained in a manner 
to prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants in the water. 
 
7.  Ensure tanks, pipes, and other equipment used to store and convey water are made of 
materials which do not introduce feed contaminants into the animals drinking water. 
 
8.  Establish and implement an appropriate cleaning and maintenance program for water 
storage equipment to prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of feed 
contaminants in water obtained from a safe source.  In addition, you should have a 
plumbing system that is designed to maintain the safety of the drinking water supply for 
the animals on your farm. 
 
E.  What feed safety precautions should I take in intensive animal feeding units? 
 
In addition to items listed in section V.D above, we recommend that you take the following 
precautions: 
 
1.  Locate your intensive animal feeding unit in an area not used to store equipment, 
vehicles, waste (dumps or open burn sites), fertilizers, or pesticides. 
 
2.  Maintain your indoor feeding unit in a manner that prevents or significantly minimizes 
access by pests (birds, rodents, insects, etc.).  Limit the access of pets (dogs, cats, etc.) to 
your animal feeding units.  While they may not be pests, they can transmit disease to your 
production animals. 
 
3.  Establish a practice of regular and thorough cleaning of the animal feeding unit and 
feeding equipment to remove accumulated undesirable materials such as dust, dead 
insects, or bird droppings.  Make sure chemicals used are appropriate for cleaning and 
sanitizing feeding equipment and are used according to their labeling.  These and other 
cleaning products should be properly identified/labeled and stored away from feeding 
equipment, feed storage, and feeding areas. 
 
4.  Ensure all farm workers observe biosecurity measures (such as ensuring clothes and 
footwear taken into or through animal production areas are free of organic debris, are 
disinfected, etc.) and personal hygiene practices to prevent or significantly minimize the 
introduction of feed contaminants. 
 
F.  What should I consider when I use pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural 
chemicals? 
 
You are required by law to: 
 
1.  Ensure Restricted Use Pesticides are applied by an applicator with the appropriate 
certification.5 
                                                
5 See the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C.  136a(d)(1)(C), and Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) regulations at 40 CFR 152.160. 
9  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
 
2.  Use, store, and dispose of pesticides in accordance with their labeling and with federal, 
state, and local environmental laws to prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of 
feed contaminants in bodies of water, soil, crops, and feed.  Use of (including storage and 
disposal) a registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is a violation of 
federal law.6 For more information on disposal, we recommend you contact the 
appropriate regulatory agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or 
your state and local government agencies responsible for regulating the environment. 
 
In addition, we recommend that you: 
 
3.  Obtain pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals from safe and reliable 
sources. 
 
4.  Read and follow labeling for use, storage, and disposal of all pesticides, fertilizers, and 
other agricultural chemicals to significantly minimize the potential for exposing animals 
to these substances. 
 
5.  Not store pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals with, or adjacent to, feed 
or animals.  Prevent animals from consuming pasture and crops containing pesticides, 
fertilizers, or other agricultural chemicals which could lead to violative residues in milk, 
eggs, or edible tissues of food-producing animals.  For further information regarding 
pesticide storage, you should read the product labeling and/or seek assistance from the 
appropriate regulatory agency (EPA or the USDA). 
 
6.  Set up and maintain appropriate manure handling and storage systems to prevent or 
significantly minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants in storage or at the site of 
feeding. 
 
G.  What are the feed safety considerations in labeling? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
1.  Receive, store and handle all feed according to its labeled directions to maintain the 
feeds integrity and nutrient profile. 
 
2.  Ensure when receiving or subdividing feed, that you maintain its identity using measures 
such as storing the feed with its labeling/invoice attached or displayed on the 
container/bin to ensure important product information is maintained and accessible. 
 
3.  Use all feed in strict accordance with its labeled mixing and feeding directions. 
 
   
                                                
6 7 U.S.C.  136j(a)(2)(G). 
10  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
In addition, you are required by law: 
 
4.  If you provide medicated feed to your animals, to use it in accordance with its approved 
uses as listed on its labeling and reflected in FDA regulations at 21 CFR part 558 subpart 
B.7 You are also required to: 
 
a.  Follow product labeling to determine the animals for which the medicated feed is 
intended, the indications for use (purpose), and all precautions and instructions on 
how to handle, store, and use the feed. 
 
b.  Use medicated feed only under the approved conditions for use, following the 
limitations for use and withdrawal times. You should refer to the labeling for any 
required withdrawal times. 
 
H.  What are the other feed safety considerations on my farm? 
 
We further recommend that you: 
 
1.  Maintain any buildings and equipment used for feeding animals in a manner permitting 
safe operation, maintenance, and cleaning, which will help prevent or significantly 
minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants.  For example, make sure wood products 
that come in contact with animals or feed for such animals, are not treated with 
preservation products containing chemical contaminants such as dioxin.  In addition, 
ensure feed troughs and other feed containers are cleaned routinely to prevent or 
significantly minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants in feed. 
 
2.  When considering adding new facilities, ensure buildings and equipment used for feeding 
animals will be constructed in a manner that permits their safe operation, maintenance, 
and cleaning, which will help prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of 
contaminants.  For example, animal buildings should be planned so as to allow for raising 
and feeding animals in batches to facilitate an "all in - all out" system that prevents 
spread of disease from one batch to another.  Animal buildings should be planned to 
allow for age segregation to prevent the spreading of disease from older to younger 
animals.  All in  all out and age segregation would not be possible if buildings are not 
planned for batch production.  Spaces in animal buildings should allow for operation of 
equipment such as pressure washers for cleaning and machinery for bedding removal. 
 
3.  Dispose of waste (including animal waste) and rainwater (runoff) in a manner which will 
prevent or significantly minimize the occurrence of feed contaminants in equipment, 
storage spaces, and areas that may come into contact with feed. 
 
   
                                                
7 See Section 512(a)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.  360b(a)(2)). 
11  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
I.  What feed safety factors are important in personnel training? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
1.  Ensure all personnel involved in the receipt, storage, and handling of animal feed are 
adequately trained and are aware of their responsibility for ensuring feed safety and safe 
animal feeding. 
 
2.  Provide feed safety training which can be easily comprehended by your employees. 
 
3.  Instill security awareness in all employees.  Encourage employees to report suspicious 
behavior by individuals, such as disgruntled former employees or angry neighbors, and 
anything not usual to normal operations that may create unacceptable feed risks. 
 
J.  What actions assist in identifying the origins of feed? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
Establish and implement measures so you will know the origins of feed used on your farm.  
Having such information becomes particularly important in cases where feed is recalled and 
will help ensure timely and effective removal from your farm and the market of feed 
products that may have an adverse effect on animal or human health. 
 
K.  If I want to have a feed sample analyzed, what should I keep in mind? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
1.  Use testing facilities that employ appropriate analytical methods.  Many qualified 
laboratories exist.  Examples of such facilities include Agricultural Feed Laboratories that 
have adopted the AAFCO Quality Assurance/Quality Control Guidelines for State Feed 
Laboratories. 
 
2.  Ensure the sampling procedure is adequate to allow for a useful analytical result.  
Appropriate sampling procedures can be found in the AAFCO Feed Inspectors Manual 
available on AAFCOs website in the AAFCO Publication Listings section under the 
Free Manuals sub-section 
(http://www.aafco.org/Portals/0/SiteContent/Publications/AAFCO_Feed_Inspectors_Man
ual_5th_ed.pdf).  The feed testing facility you contact may be able to advise you on 
proper sampling procedures. 
 
3.  Monitor the analytical results for feed ingredients and mixed feed for problems.  If 
problems do arise involving the product tested, it would be beneficial to have any past 
analytical results available for comparison. 
 
   
12  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
L.  What should I do if I have concerns about the safety of my animal feed? 
 
We recommend that you: 
 
1.  Take immediate measures to ensure the product is not fed to animals. 
 
2.  Contact your feed supplier to report your concerns. 
 
3.  Review the FDA web site on reporting problems to the FDA at 
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm388610.htm.  
The types of information that would be helpful to FDA include: 
 
a.  A description of the actual or potential feed safety issue; 
b.  A description of the feed which may have caused the feed safety issue; 
c.  The species for which the product is intended; 
d.  The lot identifier or shipping date for the product; 
e.  The name of the manufacturer of the product; and 
f.  The place of origin of the product. 
 
4.  Promptly consult your veterinarian once you become aware that animal feed purchased 
for use on the farm may cause or has caused a negative effect on animal health. 
 
5.  If you suspect there could be negative effects on human health from ingestion of food 
products derived from animals that have eaten contaminated feed, you should promptly 
contact your local and state health departments. 
 
   
13  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
VI. APPENDIX A - FEED CONTAMINANT AND UNACCEPTABLE FEED RISK 
EXAMPLES 
 
Examples of feed contaminants and unacceptable feed risks.  These examples are not intended to 
be all-inclusive, nor a ranking of the contaminants. 
 
 
Feed  Species of  Level of feed  Unacceptable  Rationale 
Contaminant  animals  contaminant  feed risk exists? 
for which 
animal 
feed is 
intended 
Aflatoxin  Dairy  20 ppb in corn,  Yes  for humans  Although the presence of aflatoxin at 20 ppb in 
(naturally  cattle,  peanut  consuming milk  the animal feed would constitute a feed 
occurring toxin  lactating  products,  products  contaminant, an unacceptable feed risk would not 
- chemical  cottonseed    exist for lactating dairy cattle because it is not 
contaminant)  meal, or other  No  for dairy  reasonably likely that lactating dairy cattle 
animal feed  cattle, lactating  provided animal feed products containing 
ingredient.  aflatoxin at 20 ppb would become ill or sustain 
injuries.8  However, humans consuming milk 
products obtained from dairy cattle fed animal 
feed products containing 20 ppb aflatoxin are 
reasonably likely to become ill or sustain injuries. 
Aflatoxin  Dairy  100 ppb in  Yes  for humans  It is reasonably likely that dairy cattle consuming 
(naturally  cattle,  corn, peanut  consuming  milk  animal feed containing 100 ppb aflatoxin would 
occurring toxin  lactating  products,  products  become ill or sustain injuries and humans 
- chemical  cottonseed    consuming milk products obtained from dairy 
contaminant)  meal, or other  Yes  for dairy  cattle offered such animal feed products would 
animal feed  cattle, lactating  become ill or sustain injuries.9 
ingredients. 
Salmonella  Dairy and  Detectable  No  for dairy and  If soybean meal contaminated with detectable S. 
Pullorum, S.  beef cattle  beef cattle  Pullorum, S. Gallinarum, or S. Enteritidis does not 
Gallinarum, or    subsequently undergo a manufacturing process 
S. Enteritidis    that would kill the Salmonella (e.g., rendering, 
(biological    extrusion, irradiation) prior to consumption by 
contaminants)    dairy or beef cattle, it is not reasonably likely that 
in soybean    dairy or beef cattle consuming animal feed 
meal.    products containing the soybean meal would 
  become ill or sustain injuries because these 
  Salmonella serotypes are not pathogenic to dairy 
  or beef cattle. 
   
No  for humans  There is no current scientific evidence linking the 
consuming meat or  presence of these three Salmonella serotypes in 
milk products  dairy or beef cattle feed to human illness from 
consuming milk or meat from these cattle.  
Therefore, based on current scientific evidence, 
the route of feed to meat/milk to humans is not 
likely to be of major importance. 
                                                
8 Robens, J. F. and J. L. Richard. 1992. Aflatoxins In Animal and Human Health.  Reviews of Environmental Contamination and 
Toxicology. Vol. 127:70-94. 
9 Ibid. 
14  Contains Nonbinding Recommendations 
Feed  Species of  Level of feed  Unacceptable  Rationale 
Contaminant  animals  contaminant  feed risk exists? 
for which 
animal 
feed is 
intended 
Salmonella  Layer  Detectable  Yes  for layer  If animal feed products containing an animal 
Pullorum, S.  chickens  chickens  protein blend contaminated with detectable S. 
Gallinarum, or    Pullorum, S. Gallinarum, or S. Enteritidis do not 
S. Enteritidis  Yes  for humans  subsequently undergo a manufacturing process 
(biological  consuming raw or  that would kill the Salmonella (e.g., rendering, 
contaminants)  undercooked eggs  extrusion, irradiation) prior to consumption by 
in animal  contaminated with  layer chickens, the layer chickens are reasonably 
protein blend.  S. Enteritidis  likely to become ill or sustain injuries because 
  these Salmonella serotypes are pathogenic to layer 
No  for humans  chickens.  In addition, eggs obtained from layer 
consuming chicken  chickens fed animal feed contaminated with S. 
meat products  Enteritidis may also be contaminated with this 
same Salmonella serotype and thus be reasonably 
likely to cause illness or injury in humans 
consuming the eggs 
(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/enteritidis/index.
html). There is no current scientific evidence 
linking the presence of these three Salmonella 
serotypes in layer chicken feed to human illness 
from consuming meat from these chickens.  
Therefore, based on current scientific evidence, 
the route of feed to meat to humans is not likely to 
be of major importance. 
Selenium, an  Swine  Greater than or  Yes  Swine fed a complete feed containing greater than 
essential  equal to 5.0  or equal to 5.0 ppm of selenium on a dry matter 
nutrient  ppm in  basis are reasonably likely to become ill or sustain 
(potential  complete swine  injuries10. 
chemical  feed on a dry 
contaminant at  matter basis 
excessive 
levels) 
Selenium, an  Swine  From  0.30 to   No  Swine fed a complete feed containing  0.30 ppm 
essential  < 5.0 ppm on a  and < 5.0 ppm of selenium on a dry matter basis 
nutrient  dry matter  are not reasonably likely to become ill or sustain 
(potential  basis in  injuries.11,12 
chemical  complete swine 
contaminant at  feed. 
excessive 
levels) 
 
                                                
10 Nutrient Requirements of Swine (11th revised edition, 2012, National Research Council of the National Academies, Chapter 6 
on Minerals, pages 86-87). 
11 Ibid. 
12 Selenium is an essential element so swine do need dietary levels that would be adequate to prevent a nutrient deficiency. 
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