Federal and state resources are available for human and animal food producers who may be harvesting, mixing, storing, or distributing grains and other foods after experiencing a severe or inclement weather event. The FDA reminds producers that crops harvested from flooded fields are often unacceptable for consumption because of contamination. Flood waters, which are different from pooled rainwater, may contain sewage, pathogenic organisms, pesticides, chemical wastes, or other toxic substances.  

Mold growth also is a serious concern for flood impacted crops intended for use in animal food. Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which is a toxic substance that can cause illness and death when consumed by animals and people.  

Sometimes, crops that have been harvested and then subsequently deemed unsuitable for human use can be salvaged for animal food. The 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: 

ORA Emergency Response Coordinators

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

We encourage growers to work with state regulators and local FDA offices to assess their unique situations and to take into consideration all possible types and routes of contamination from flood waters in determining whether a particular crop is adulterated.

Each state’s Department of Agriculture may have state-specific requirements regarding any attempt to clean, process, test, and sell/use crops in animal food. The FDA will continue working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state partners, trade, and stakeholder associations to answer broader questions that may arise about using flood-affected crops for animal food.