October 2, 2000
FDA PARTICIPATING IN AAFCO INTERNET SURF DAY
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is participating in a nationwide Surf Day sponsored by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on October 11, 2000. The purpose of the initial Surf Day is to identify Internet vendors selling equine feeds and equine feed supplements that may not be in compliance with Federal and State commercial feed regulations. This coordinated effort is aimed at informing the out-of-compliance firms of the regulations and bringing them into compliance. The potential animal health issues and economic impact are the driving concerns of the animal feed regulators Surf Day.
Individual State and Federal regulators observing the electronic marketplace have seen an increasing number of non-traditional, unapproved feed additives and ingredients offered for sale. Firms who conduct sales and distribution of commercial feed products via the Internet may not necessarily be aware of the Federal and State regulatory requirements, or may feel that they are not subject to the requirements. The pace of electronic marketing development suggests that circumvention of the commercial feed regulatory and compliance systems may be occurring and must be addressed.
Information gathered from the AAFCO Surf Day will be used to develop an educational response for those firms found to be out of compliance with State and Federal commercial feed regulations. Firms who choose not to comply as a result of the educational effort may be faced with follow-up regulatory action through the feed regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the operations concerned.
The AAFCO Surf Day will concentrate on identifying issues under the statutory authority of the individual State's feed laws with respect to licensing, registration, adulteration, misbranding, and false or misleading claims. Comprehensive educational efforts will be extended following the information collection. Compliance monitoring and follow-up activities will be conducted as indicated.
Additional information about FDA's participation in the Surf Day may be obtained from Ms. Isabel Pocurull, FDA/CVM, Division of Animal Feeds, 7500 Standish Place, HFV-226, Rockville, MD 20855, telephone 301-827-0175. Additional information about AAFCO participation may be obtained from Ms. Sharon Senesac, AAFCO, P.O. Box 478, Oxford, IN 47971, telephone 765-385-1029.
Issued by:
FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine,
Communications Staff, HFV-12
7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (240) 276-9300 FAX: (240) 276-9115
Internet Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm
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