Nutraceuticals and Herbal Supplements

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194 – May/June, 2023

By Heather Smith Thomas

For many years, people have been using various herbs and food supplements that seem to help keep the body functioning better and ward off disease.  During the past three decades, many horsemen started using some of these supplements for their horses, and a growing number of manufacturers began producing equine products.

Under U.S. law, products are regulated based on their intended use as established by labeling claims or benefit statements.  Labeling and extensions of labeling are basically anything connected to the company including product labels, websites, literature, promotional materials and social media.  Regulations that apply to Human Dietary Supplement products do not apply to animals, so there are only two categories: Nutritional Supplements or Health Supplements intended to provide Non-Nutritional benefits.

Nutrients include protein, fats and carbohydrates–and the vitamins and minerals needed by the body.  A drug is defined as articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals; and …articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals; …

There have been a number of laws created regarding the foods and drugs sold in the U.S. to make sure they are safe for humans and animals.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces the laws.

LEGAL FOR HUMANS BUT NOT FOR ANIMALS

Click here to read the complete article
194 – May/June, 2023