August 27, 2019

As Tropical Storm Dorian approaches the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine reminds animal food producers who may be mixing, storing or distributing grains and other foods for animals about information resources available.

The FDA reminds harvesters that crops harvested from flooded fields are often unacceptable because of contamination. Flood waters, which are different from pooled rain water, may contain sewage, pathogenic organisms, pesticides, chemical wastes, or other toxic substances. Mold growth is another serious concern for flood impacted crops intended for use in animal food. Some molds produce mycotoxins, which are toxic to certain animals and people.

Previously harvested crops that may be deemed unsuitable for human food use sometimes can be salvaged for animal food. FDA will work with producers to consider requests to recondition an adulterated crop into animal food on a case-by-case basis. FDA’s compliance policy guide (CPG 675.200) provides a step-by-step process for reconditioning requests. Those requests should be directed to the following individuals in the relevant FDA field office: 

For contamination events that occur in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida:

• Sonia Monges - 407-744-2002

For contamination events that occur in Georgia, North Carolina or South Carolina:

• Derek Price - 404-253-2277

The FDA will update this information as necessary if the track of the storm changes.

For more information, see Crops Harvested from Flooded Fields Intended for Animal Food: Questions and Answers. 

Additionally, your state or territory’s Department of Agriculture may have state-specific requirements regarding any attempt to clean, process, test, and sell/use crops or siloed materials for animal food. FDA will also continue working with USDA, state partners, and associations on broader questions that may arise about crops and materials for animal food.

For more information:

• Resources for Food Producers in Flooded Areas Due to Tropical Storm Dorian
• General Information on Evaluating the Safety of Food and Animal Food Crops Exposed to Flood Waters
• CPG Sec. 683.100 Action Levels for Aflatoxins in Animal Feeds
• Guidance for Industry: Fumonisin Levels in Human Foods and Animal Feeds Final Guidance
• Guidance for Industry and FDA: Advisory Levels for Deoxynivalenol (DON) in Finished Wheat Products for Human Consumption and Grains and Grain By-Products used for Animal Feed 
• CPG Sec. 575.100 Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed - Enforcement Criteria
• CPG 675.200 Diversion of Adulterated Food to Acceptable Animal Feed Use