The Animal Supplement Council (NASC) has initiated a Quality Seal Program as part of its ongoing effort to improve and standardize the animal supplement industry . The seal is a way for consumers to know that when they buy a product, they buy from a reputable manufacturer. Different from the NASC logo, the seal signifies that the company has been independently audited for the implementation of specific standards and conformance with quality system requirements. 

The NASC is an industry group dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of companion animals and horses throughout the United States. The group was formed in 2001 when the multibillion dollar animal supplement industry was threatened by changes in federal regulation. (See www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=3398).

NASC member companies are required to demonstrate compliance with the following criteria before they are granted permission to display the seal on their product labels. 

1. The company must have a quality manual in place that provides written standard operating procedures for production process control.
   
2. The company must have an adverse event reporting/complaint system in place to continually monitor and evaluate products.
   
3. The company must follow proper label guidelines for all products.
   
4. The company must include any specific warning and cautionary statements recommended by the Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the NASC Scientific Advisory Committee.
   
5. Consumers should begin to look for the NASC quality seal beginning in late 2004. Purchasing products from NASC members is the best way consumers can support efforts to improve the quality of animal supplements and help ensure the continued availability of these supplements in the U.S. market.

NASC is committed to the production and distribution of high quality supplements for non-human food chain animals and holding member companies accountable for supplying only those supplements that are in compliance with NASC guidelines.  For more information or to review the extensive member list, go to www.nasc.cc or call 760/751-3360