FDA Announces Online Availability of “Blue Bird” Medicated Feed Labels

September 1, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is announcing the availability of many approved “Blue Bird” Type B and Type C medicated feed labels on its Web site as a way to help ensure feed safety.  “Blue Bird” labels are representative labels used to guide feed manufacturers when labeling Type B and C medicated feeds[1]. 

In order to make certain kinds of Type B or Type C medicated feeds, a facility must obtain a feed mill license.  One of the conditions for obtaining a license is that the feed mill must commit to having the current approved Type B or Type C medicated feed labeling in its possession. 

When a drug sponsor submits a New Animal Drug Application to CVM for a Type A medicated article, the sponsor must also submit representative "Blue Bird" labels for Type B and Type C medicated feeds that are made from the Type A medicated article. Historically, copies of these representative labels for Type B and Type C medicated feeds have not been readily available.  CVM has determined that if feed mills can obtain the labeling from the Internet, then they are considered to be in possession of approved labeling.

“By assisting medicated feed mills with access to the most up-to-date and accurate ’Blue Bird’ labels, we are increasing the probability that feeds are manufactured and used safely,” said Bernadette Dunham, DVM, Ph.D., Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine.  “'Blue Bird’ labels outline the proper use levels, indications for use, and cautions and warnings approved in the new animal drug application process.”