VFD and Medicated Feed Readiness for Feed Mills and Distributors
Make and ship VFD feed only against a valid order, and keep the order, letters and distribution records for two years.
In Short
- No valid VFD, no feed.
- Keep records 2 years.
- Notify FDA before first shipping.
The Pet Food Manufacturing Guide
Balanced formulas. Safe ingredients. Every bag traceable.
- Which rules reach your product
- Supplier to silo
- Premix, extrude, test, release
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The Pet Food Manufacturing Guide
Balanced formulas. Safe ingredients. Every bag traceable.
Medically important antimicrobials for food animals are available in feed only under a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) from a licensed veterinarian. 21 CFR 558.6 sets duties for the veterinarian, the client and the distributor, and medicated feed manufacture follows the current good manufacturing practice rules in 21 CFR part 225. This guide covers what feed mills and distributors check and keep. It is orientation, not regulatory advice. Sources checked 4 Oct 2026.
What a valid VFD contains
The order names the veterinarian and client, the premises and animals, the VFD drug, the species and production class, the approximate number of animals, the expiration date and the other items 558.6 lists. Where the drug approval does not set an expiration, a VFD may not run more than 6 months from issue.
More on what a valid VFD contains
Feed made after the order expires needs a new VFD.
Distributor Duties
A distributor may only distribute VFD feed against a valid order. It keeps a copy of the VFD and records of receipt and distribution of all medicated feed containing a VFD drug for 2 years.
Records and Retention
| Record | Who keeps it | How long |
|---|---|---|
| VFD copy | Veterinarian, distributor, client | 2 years |
| Receipt and distribution of VFD feed | Distributor | 2 years |
| Consignee acknowledgment letter | Consignor distributor | 2 years |
- VFD copy
- Who keeps it
- Veterinarian, distributor, client
- How long
- 2 years
- Receipt and distribution of VFD feed
- Who keeps it
- Distributor
- How long
- 2 years
- Consignee acknowledgment letter
- Who keeps it
- Consignor distributor
- How long
- 2 years
More on distributor Duties
Before shipping to another distributor, it obtains that distributor's acknowledgment letter and keeps it for 2 years. A distributor must also notify FDA before first distributing VFD feed and within 30 days of changing ownership, name or address.
Making the Feed
Medicated feed manufacture follows 21 CFR part 225, including receipt, storage and inventory control of drugs so feeds contain the labelled amounts. Incoming drugs are examined for identity and damage, and drugs in mixing areas stay identified and controlled. facility making Type B or Type C medicated feed from a Category II, Type A medicated article needs an FDA medicated feed mill licence (21 CFR 558.4(a)); some other combinations are exempt (558.4(b)).
More on making the Feed
Drug inclusion, carryover between medicated and non-medicated feeds and labels are where problems tend to arise.
Checking Orders at the Mill
Before mixing or shipping, match the order to the formula: drug, inclusion rate within the approved level, species and class, quantity and expiry. An order with a missing field or a past expiry date stops the job until the veterinarian corrects it.
Worked Example: Checking Order VFD-5523
More on checking Orders at the Mill
Record who checked the order, when, and which batches it covers.
Who decides
The veterinarian decides whether to issue a VFD and on its terms. The mill decides whether it can make the feed as ordered and releases each batch, and the client feeds it as directed.
More on who decides
Software can hold the order and link it to batches and shipments, but it does not judge whether an order is lawful.
Questions
How long are VFD records kept?
Two years for the veterinarian, the distributor and the client, under 21 CFR 558.6.
How long is a VFD valid?
Until the expiration date on the order. If the drug approval does not set one, it may not exceed 6 months from issue.
Do we need an acknowledgment letter for every customer?
Only when you ship VFD feed to another distributor. Keep the consignee's letter for 2 years.
Where does V5 fit?
V5 keeps formulas, ingredient and drug lots, batch records, labels, shipments and linked documents. Your team checks each order and releases the feed.
Practical orientation, not legal advice. Rules differ by jurisdiction; your quality and compliance team decides what applies.
Keep reading
Veterinary Drug Manufacturing: Lot Control Guide
9 CFR 113: Veterinary Biologics Serial Control and Records
Extralabel Drug Use (21 CFR 530): Limits, Labelling and Compounding
21 CFR 514.8: Postapproval Animal-Drug Change Records
VICH Harmonisation Readiness for Veterinary Submissions