Since FDA has been regulating food for people, it has also regulated food for animals, including animal feed for millions of chickens, cows, pigs, sheep, and fish.

The animal feed is required to
- be pure and healthy
- be produced under clean and tidy conditions
- contain no harmful material
- be truthfully labeled

As is also the case for human foods, the act does not give FDA the authority to require approval of animal feed, including pet food, before it is marketed. But the agency has the authority to take action against feed products that are in violation of the law. And FDA approves the additives or drugs that are used in feed products.

Animal feed manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that:

- feed is truthfully labeled
- feed does not contain unsafe additives or contaminants
- if the feed contains drugs, the drugs are approved by FDA for use in animal feeds