21 CFR Part 507 – Animal Food cGMP & Preventive Controls

This topic is part of the SG Systems Global regulatory glossary series.

Updated October 2025 • FDA / FSMA • Animal Food Safety

21 CFR Part 507 implements the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) for animal food and feed manufacturers. It sets current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and requires a risk-based preventive control system similar to Part 117 for human food. The goal is to prevent biological, chemical, and physical hazards that could make animal feed unsafe or contaminate human food supply chains.

“Part 507 brings HACCP-style controls and FSMA risk management to animal feed — proving that feed safety is food safety.”

1) What It Is

Part 507 defines the minimum standards for the manufacture, processing, packing, and storage of animal food to ensure it is not adulterated or misbranded. It requires qualified individuals, written hazard analyses, preventive controls, and corrective actions under a verified Food Safety Plan.

Scope & application. Applies to domestic and imported animal food facilities registered with FDA. Includes pet food, livestock feed, premixes, and supplements used in animal nutrition.

Selected requirements under Part 507:

• Subpart B – cGMP. Personnel hygiene, plant and equipment design, sanitation, water quality, and pest control.
• Subpart C – Hazard Analysis & Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC). Identification of biological, chemical (including drug residues & allergens), and physical hazards; implementation of preventive controls.
• Subpart D – Recall Plan & Corrective Actions. Procedures to contain and correct deviations and execute effective recalls.
• Subpart E – Supply Chain Program. Supplier approval and verification of hazard controls for incoming materials.
• Subpart F – Records. Written records of monitoring, verification, corrective actions, and training must be retained and readily accessible.

Relation to other rules. Closely mirrors Part 117 (human food), and supports traceability under FSMA 204. Electronic record controls follow Part 11.

2) FAQ

Q1. Who must comply with Part 507?
Any facility manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding animal food for U.S. distribution, unless specifically exempt (e.g., farms meeting limited criteria).

Q2. How does it differ from Part 117?
Part 507 mirrors Part 117 but is tailored to animal feed hazards — including drug carryover, feed ingredient residues, and cross-species exposure risks.

Q3. Is a Food Safety Plan required?
Yes. Qualified individuals must develop and re-evaluate a written plan covering hazards, preventive controls, and verification activities.

Q4. How are records kept?
Records must be accurate, dated, and retained electronically or on paper under Part 11 data integrity controls.

Q5. What are common hazards under Part 507?
Mycotoxins, drug residues, Salmonella, nutrient imbalance, and cross-contamination from equipment or rework streams.

Q6. Where can I read the full rule?
See the eCFR for 21 CFR Part 507.

3) How It Relates to V5

V5 by SG Systems Global supports animal food manufacturers by digitally enforcing Part 507 preventive controls, traceability, and recordkeeping across production, QA, and warehouse workflows.

• Hazard control integration. MES tracks ingredients and batches through HACCP steps and enforces clean-out or line clearance procedures.
• Supplier verification & receiving. Quality-Enforced Receiving captures incoming CoAs and blocks use until approval.
• Environmental monitoring & QMS. QMS logs deviations, CAPA, and sanitation records linked to preventive control verification.
• Lot traceability & WMS. WMS manages FEFO, zoning, and recall traceability per FSMA 204 KDE/CTE requirements.
• Electronic records & sign-off. Part 11 compliance ensures secure signatures, audit trails, and validated data retention.

End-to-end example. A feed mill receives corn and soy under a supplier verification program; V5 LIMS tests for mycotoxins; results and corrective actions are recorded in QMS; approved lots are released to MES for batch mixing and label generation under traceable controls.

Primary References:
• FDA eCFR: 21 CFR Part 507
• Related Rule: 21 CFR Part 117
• Traceability: FSMA 204 KDE/CTE
• Electronic Controls: 21 CFR Part 11