21 CFR 507: safe animal food, with a plan you can show
Animal food has a hazard human food rarely does: getting the nutrients wrong. Part 507 expects your plan to cover it.
In Short
- Nutrient deficiencies or toxicities are chemical hazards.
- A PCQI prepares or oversees the food safety plan.
- Reanalyse the plan at least every 3 years.
The Pet Food Manufacturing Guide
Balanced formulas. Safe ingredients. Every bag traceable.
- Which rules reach your product
- Supplier to silo
- Premix, extrude, test, release
- Bag, label, trace and recall
Plus Evidence map and four worksheets.
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The Pet Food Manufacturing Guide
Balanced formulas. Safe ingredients. Every bag traceable.
21 CFR Part 507 is FDA's binding rule for facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold animal food, including pet food. It combines CGMP with hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls. This guide covers the sections plants ask about most. Every section cited was checked on the eCFR on 2 Oct 2026.
CGMP in Subpart B
Subpart B covers personnel, plant and grounds, sanitation, water, equipment, plant operations and holding and distribution (507.14 to 507.27). 507.28 covers human food by-products held for animal food.
Hazard Analysis, Including Nutrients
507.33 requires a hazard analysis that considers biological, chemical and physical hazards. The chemical list names nutrient deficiencies or toxicities, with examples such as inadequate thiamine in cat food and excessive vitamin D in dog food.
Hazards to consider (507.33)
Pick a type.
- Such as Salmonella.
Preventive Controls and the PCQI
Where hazards need preventive controls (507.34), the food safety plan sets monitoring, corrective actions and verification (507.39 to 507.49). A preventive controls qualified individual prepares or oversees the plan (507.53).
Supply-Chain Program
When a hazard is controlled before receipt by a supplier, Subpart E requires a supply-chain program: approved suppliers (507.120) and verification activities such as onsite audits, sampling or records review (507.130, 507.135).
Reanalysis, records and where V5 fits
Reanalyse the whole plan at least every 3 years (507.50); keep records at least 2 years (507.208). V5 records formulas and dispensed weights, checks against limits, corrective actions, supplier approvals and lot trace.
Worked Example: a Premix Weight Out of Range
- 07:20Vitamin premix weighed 12% over target on batch PF-118Operator
- 07:22Batch held; corrective action recordedShift lead
- Day 1PCQI reviews nutrient risk and decides dispositionPCQI
More on reanalysis, records and where V5 fits
Your PCQI decides controls and disposition.
Questions
Does Part 507 apply to pet food?
Yes. It applies to facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold animal food, which includes pet food, unless an exemption or modified requirement applies.
Are nutrient problems a hazard under Part 507?
Yes. 507.33 lists nutrient deficiencies or toxicities among chemical hazards, for example inadequate thiamine in cat food.
How often must the food safety plan be reanalysed?
At least once every 3 years, and also when changes or new information require it (507.50).
Does V5 decide product disposition?
No. V5 records checks, corrective actions and lot trace. Your PCQI and trained people decide disposition.
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
BSE Feed Rule Readiness: 21 CFR 589.2000 and 589.2001 for Feed and Pet Food
Pet Food Labels: 21 CFR 501 and AAFCO Model Requirements
Raw Pet Food Pathogen Control: FDA's Salmonella Policy and 21 CFR 507
Salmonella Pet Food Environmental Monitoring Readiness Guide