In 2010, FDA outlined its intent and recommendations regarding growth promotion uses of medically important antibiotics in food animal production. FDA also specified that veterinarian oversight will increase for the remaining therapeutic applications (prevention, treatment and control) of medically important antibiotics. This action applies to both feed-grade and water-based antibiotics.
On Dec. 11, 2013, FDA initiated a three-year transition process to complete its food-animal antibiotic strategy. This action requests animal-health companies to outline intentions to voluntarily remove any production/growth promotion uses from product labels of medically important antibiotics. The guidance also eliminates the over-the-counter status of these medications and increases veterinary oversight for on-farm therapeutic use by requiring a veterinary feed directive (VFD) for feed applications and a prescription for water treatments. Jan. 1, 2017, is when implementation must be completed.
On June 3, 2015, FDA announced the final VFD rule. The final rule outlines specific requirements of the VFD process for medically important (to treat human infections) feedgrade antibiotics.