The BSE Feed Rules in Practice: Labels, Separation and Records
Keep mammalian protein out of ruminant feed with labels, separation or clean-out, and records kept at least a year.
In Short
- Label the caution statement.
- Separate or clean out.
- Keep records one year.
The Pet Food Manufacturing Guide
Balanced formulas. Safe ingredients. Every bag traceable.
- Which rules reach your product
- Supplier to silo
- Premix, extrude, test, release
We ask for your name and email so we can handle this request. The full guide then opens on this site, ready to translate, print or save. Privacy policy. Practical orientation, not legal advice; your quality unit decides which rules apply.
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The Pet Food Manufacturing Guide
Balanced formulas. Safe ingredients. Every bag traceable.
Two FDA rules aim to stop bovine spongiform encephalopathy spreading through feed. 21 CFR 589.2000 keeps most mammalian protein out of ruminant feed; 589.2001 keeps certain cattle materials out of all animal feed. This guide shows what each asks of renderers, blenders, feed and pet food manufacturers and distributors. It is orientation, not regulatory advice. Sources checked 4 Oct 2026.
Two rules, different scope
Section 589.2000 treats protein derived from mammalian tissues as prohibited in ruminant feed, with exclusions such as blood products, gelatin, qualifying tallow, milk proteins, plate waste and pure porcine or equine protein. Section 589.2001 removes specified cattle materials, such as brains and spinal cords of cattle 30 months and older, from all animal food and feed.
More on two rules, different scope
A pet food plant can be affected by both.
Label the Caution
Products that contain or may contain prohibited mammalian protein must carry the statement “Do not feed to cattle or other ruminants”. Pet food sold only for pets has its own provisions in the section; check which applies to each product and channel.
Two rules, two questions
| Rule | Question |
|---|---|
| 589.2000 | Can this protein reach ruminant feed? |
| 589.2001 | Are prohibited cattle materials kept out of all animal feed? |
- 589.2000
- Question
- Can this protein reach ruminant feed?
- 589.2001
- Question
- Are prohibited cattle materials kept out of all animal feed?
Separate or clean out
Firms handling both prohibited and other protein and intending to keep them apart must maintain separate equipment or facilities, or use clean-out procedures adequate to prevent carry-over. The procedures for clean-out and for separating materials from receipt to shipment must be written.
Records
Firms must keep records sufficient to track the materials through receipt, processing and distribution, and make them available to FDA. Records are kept for at least one year, and written procedures must be available for inspection.
Worked Example: Shared Line
Supplier and Formula Control
Most risk enters through ingredients. Approve suppliers of animal protein, get documentation of species and source, and make formula changes go through review so a new ingredient cannot quietly bring prohibited protein onto a line that also makes ruminant feed.
Questions
Does this affect pet food makers?
Yes, where they handle mammalian protein or cattle materials. Check both 589.2000 and 589.2001 for your products.
Is clean-out enough instead of separate lines?
It can be, if the procedure is written, adequate to prevent carry-over and followed.
How long are records kept?
At least one year under 589.2000(h).
Where does V5 fit?
V5 records supplier approval, ingredient lots, formulas, line clean-outs and shipments. Your team decides how products are separated.
Practical orientation, not legal advice. Rules differ by jurisdiction; your quality and compliance team decides what applies.
Keep reading
Pet Food and Animal Food cGMP Readiness: 21 CFR 507
Pet Food Labels: 21 CFR 501 and AAFCO Model Requirements
21 CFR 507 Animal Food Guide: CGMP, Food Safety Plan, PCQI and Supply-Chain
Raw Pet Food Pathogen Control: FDA's Salmonella Policy and 21 CFR 507
Salmonella Pet Food Environmental Monitoring Readiness Guide