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Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)

Honey bees are classified as livestock/food-producing animals by the federal government because products from apiculture – including honey, propolis, pollen and royal jelly – enter the human food chain. The requirements for completing a VFD order or prescription for honey bees are the same as for any other food-producing animal, and they apply equally to hobbyists and commercial beekeeping enterprises.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended the new animal drug regulations to implement the veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs section of the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996 (ADAA). On June 3, 2015, the FDA published in the Federal Register the final rule revising the VFD regulations in 21 CFR Part 558. The final rule became effective on October 1, 2015. In March 2019, FDA published a draft revised Guidance for Industry #120 that enhances and expands upon the previous version released in September 2015. These changes were made in response to stakeholder feedback and comments submitted to FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) since the VFD final rule went into effect and the implementation of Guidance for Industry #213.

A VFD drug is intended for use in animal feeds, and such use of the VFD drug is permitted only under the professional supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Download the VFD Form for Honey Bees