Which agency is the regulatory authority for animal feed?

• A. FDA
• B. CDC
• C. USDA
• D. EPA

Answer: (A)

Regulatory oversight for animal feed in the United States rests with the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA governs the safety, labeling, and approval of feed ingredients and feed additives (including medicated feeds) under applicable federal Acts, ensuring that what goes into animal feed is safe for animals and, by extension, for people who may consume animal products. The FDA’s animal food programs, including those managed by the Center for Veterinary Medicine and related FDA offices, handle these responsibilities directly.

The USDA’s role is more about broader agricultural and animal health programs, such as inspecting meat, poultry, and eggs and enforcing animal health regulations, rather than regulating animal feed as a whole. The CDC focuses on human disease surveillance and prevention, not feed regulation. The EPA regulates environmental aspects and pesticides, which can relate to feed in some contexts, but it does not serve as the primary regulator of animal feed.