FDA concerned about ‘dietary supplements’ for pets

The US Food and Drug Administration has warned that many dietary supplements and foods for pets are being marketed with illegal health claims. The agency believes that the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act does not apply to animals and that many of the products are being sold in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Although foods for animals do not require approval before marketing, they are not permitted to contain unapproved food additives or other substances that are not generally recognised as safe. Herbal ingredients, for example, may be legally included in ‘dietary supplement’ pills for humans but cannot be legally placed in animal food intended to prevent or treat diseases.

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/woow/402_pets.html