Did you know equine supplements are not fully regulated by the FDA? Supplements are often classified as feed or feed additives, which means they don’t require pre-market approval. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and accurately labeled. This makes it difficult as a consumer to navigate through false claims and determine which are trustworthy and quality.
At MVP, we believe in building trust through transparency. As a founding member of the NASC, you can feel confident that you are using a quality product from a reputable company that follows strict NASC quality guidelines.
What is the NASC?
In 2001, a group of leading supplement manufacturers formed a non-profit industry organization known as the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). The NASC's overriding goal is to promote the health and wellbeing of companion animals and horses that are given animal health supplements by their owners, and to protect and enhance the animal health supplement industry. To do so, the NASC works closely with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to create regulation that is fair, reasonable, responsible and consistent nationwide. MVP is proud to be a founding member of the NASC since its inception in 2001.
NASC’s Quality Seal and What it Means to You
Before the NASC existed, there were no standards for label claims, manufacturing practices, or tracking adverse events (side effects). This also means companies that are not NASC members, may not follow any regulations, labels are likely not done properly, and may make false claims. When you see the NASC Quality Seal, you can trust you are buying a product from a reputable company who has successfully completed an independent quality audit. NASC member companies must comply with rigorous requirements before they are granted permission to display the seal.
As a consumer, you can feel confident knowing NASC members, including MVP, demonstrate the following:
- Accurate labels with complete ingredient listings formatted based on guidelines of the FDA and AAFCO.
- In depth quality manufacturing standards that meet NASC’s Good Manufacturing Procedures, modeled after the FDA.
- Monitor and ensure safety of ingredients by tracking and reporting all adverse events (side effects) to a National Adverse Event Reporting System, which FDA has access to.
- Completion of independent audits regularly including random product testing to ensure purity, potency, and accuracy of content.
Take-Home Message
There are no federal or state laws requiring supplement companies to be regulated or members of the NASC. This means they aren’t legally obligated to have audited production procedures or verify the potency and purity of their finished products. While some major manufacturers comply with FDA and AAFCO labeling guidelines and operate in FDA-approved facilities consistent with NASC standards, many reputable companies choose to be NASC members to ensure high-quality products. Be cautious of claims that seem too good to be true, as they often indicate a lack of regulation. Always check if the company carries the yellow NASC Seal.
For more information on the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) please visit their website.