What is the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and which agency issues it?

• A. A regulation requiring veterinarian oversight for medicated feeds; issued by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
• B. A regulation about labeling of packaging for meat.
• C. A directive about dairy pasteurization.
• D. A policy on pesticide residues.

Answer: (A)

The Veterinary Feed Directive is an FDA regulation that requires oversight by a licensed veterinarian for the use of medicated feeds containing antibiotics used to treat, prevent, or control disease in food-producing animals. The veterinarian issues a VFD order, which the producer uses to obtain the medicated feed from a licensed feed mill. This regulation is issued by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and aims to ensure judicious antibiotic use to protect both animal and public health, including proper withdrawal times for animal products. It is not about labeling meat packaging, dairy pasteurization, or pesticide residues.