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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The
public appears to believe that the beef industry is feeding
tetracycline and penicillin at subtherapeutic levels.
Penicillin is not approved for use as a feed additive for
beef cattle and is no longer being used as such.
Tetracycline products are approved for use as feed additives
and are believed to be safe if label directions are
followed. Serious consequences, both practical and legal,
may result from misuse of feed additives and medications.
A most
important responsibility of an animal feed mixer or
manufacturer is to assure that the feed produced - whether
medicated or non-medicated - meets all legal and intended
specifications. All feed mixing operations,
regardless of size or products used, share this
responsibility. The term "medicated feed" includes all
medicated feed products intended to be a substantial source
of nutrients in the diet of an animal. The term includes
products commonly referred to as supplements, concentrates,
premix feeds, and base mixes. It is not limited to complete
feeds intended to be the sole ration of the animal.
Medicated feeds must contain the proper drug level and be
fed in a manner calculated to produce the intended effect in
the animals being fed. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act provides that a medicated feed containing an animal drug
is considered adulterated if not produced in conformance
with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP’s). Refer
to the end of this section for text of the CGMPs for both
registered and non-registered facilities. Adulterated feeds
and manufacturers are subject to regulatory action.
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