Feed additive

A feed additive is a additive of extra nutrient or drug for livestock. Such additives include vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, pharmaceutical, fungal products and steroidal compounds. The additives might impact feed presentation, hygiene, digestibility, or effect on intestinal health. A feed additive is a additive of extra nutrient or drug for livestock. Such additives include vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, pharmaceutical, fungal products and steroidal compounds. The additives might impact feed presentation, hygiene, digestibility, or effect on intestinal health. Prior to the Animal Drug Availability Act 1996, animal feed was available in two fashions: over-the-counter transacted, and by prescription from a veterinarian. Its associated regulation introduced the concept of a medicated feed, which is also available over-the-counter. The terminology for Veterinary Feed Directive was introduced by the Act. According to EU Regulation 1831/2003, all feed additives to be placed on the market within the European Union have to undergo a thorough approval process. Those who seek approval for the products as livestock food additives must submit them to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Reference Laboratory, the European Commission and the member states. Evaluation criteria include safety for the animals, consumers and factory workers. For additives claiming an increase in zootechnical performance, sufficient empirical data must be presented to confirm those claims. The last category was banned in 2009 by the EU, and replaced with probiotic alternatives.