Feed contaminants are toxic or deleterious substances consisting of two classes.
• The first is an inherent, naturally occurring constituent of an animal food, which is not the result of environmental, agricultural, industrial or other contaminations. Examples of this class include some of the mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and fumonisin, the glucosinolates, and the heavy metals, like lead and cadmium.
• The second class is made up of industrial substances, which are not naturally occurring and are increased to abnormal levels in the animal food through mishandling or other acts. Examples of this class are the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and certain pesticides, like DDT.
CVM may prohibit any detectable amount of a contaminant or establish a regulatory limit for the contaminant. Action is based on the protection of the public health, the extent to which the presence of the contaminant cannot be avoided, and other ways in which the consumer may be affected by the contaminant.
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