Different federal agencies including the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) are tasked with regulation of new animal drugs and pesticide products, respectively, including their sale and distribution. TSG provides regulatory assistance and support for animal health products through our team of animal health regulatory consultants.
Animal feed regulation
Both companion animals, such as dogs and cats, and food animals meant for human consumption, including cattle, swine and poultry, must be fed and treated with products that meet federal safety standards. This ensures their health and well-being, while also allowing for safe human interaction. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an independent organization that provides guidance to feed control regulators and the industry by developing uniform standards, laws, and enforcement policies in animal feed production, labeling, distribution, and sale across the states.
- Ingredients – The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act or FFDCA) requires that animal food is safe for consumption, is prepared in sanitary conditions, is free of harmful substances, and is properly labeled. These products include anything made for animal consumption, including meals, treats and snacks, nutrient supplements, nutrient-added waters, and edible chews. FDA fulfills its responsibilities for animal feed, including pet food, in part through an agreement with AAFCO, which manages the list of approved animal feed ingredients. Ingredients used in animal feed must either be listed by AAFCO, be generally recognized as safe (GRAS), or be FDA approved feed additives. New substances must either undergo the AAFCO definition process, be recognized as GRAS, or be approved after submission and review of a feed additive petition by FDA.
- Labeling – Animal feed labels are the primary source of information for consumers about products available for purchase. Each state has unique labeling and registration requirements. Once a label compliant in all state jurisdictions is developed, the product must be registered and approved in all states where the product will be distributed and sold.
- Tonnage reporting and annual renewal – Companies must maintain products through licensing and registration renewal and tonnage reporting to ensure uninterrupted sales in states and territories where they wish to continue marketing their product.
Pesticide products applied to animals for pest mitigation
The US EPA is charged with overseeing the sale and distribution of pesticide products under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and issues registrations following review of submitted applications containing data and draft product labeling. Data on product chemistry, toxicity, efficacy, companion animal safety, and residue chemistry (for food-producing animals) may be submitted to EPA for review in support of new pesticide applications.
Like new animal drug products, a pesticide product can be used to treat or prevent a parasite infestation in animals, such as flea and tick infestations in dogs and cats. However, these products differ from new animal drugs in that they impart their effect on the outside of the animal, whereas new animal drugs must be absorbed into the animal’s circulation (i.e. become systemic) in order to impart their effect(s). Products such as flea and tick collars, topical spot-on products, livestock dips and sprays, as well as manure feed-through products, are regulated as pesticide products by EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs if they impart their effect on the outside of the animal (often through contact with the pest). There are topical new animal drugs but they must be absorbed into the animal to work.
TSG can help
- Prepare and submit pesticide product registrations and renewals
- Determine the appropriate jurisdiction of a product either as a new animal drug submitted to FDA-CVM, or a pesticide product submitted to the US EPA
- Review feed formulations for compliance with federal requirements
- Review protocols and draft study reports
- Lead CVM pre-submission conferences and meetings with EPA on behalf of clientele
- Act as US Agent for international companies
- Prepare Minor Use and Minor Species (MUMS) applications
- Prepare and submit GRAS notifications and self-affirmations
- Develop product labels and claims
- Submit establishment registration
- Advise on import and export issues
- Report adverse events
- Submit feed tonnage reporting
- Provide AAFCO new ingredient definition assistance
