Nasc Quality Seal Helps Ensure Consumers Receive Quality Animal Supplements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gina DePinto
(760) 730-1930
ginadepinto@earthlink.net

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- (Oct. 19, 2004) The National Animal Supplement Council is an industry group dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of companion animals and horses throughout the United States. NASC was formed in 2001 when the multibillion dollar animal supplement industry was threatened by a complicated and erratic regulatory environment.

As part of its ongoing effort to improve and standardize the animal supplement industry, NASC initiated its Quality Seal Program. Please click here for a view of the seal.The Seal is a way for consumers to know that when they buy a product, they buy from a reputable manufacturer that has successfully completed a facility audit. Different from the NASC logo, the Seal is a privilege for members to use on their product labels and signifies that the company has been audited for the implementation of specific standards. Members must agree to adhere to NASC’s quality standards, part of which includes submitting to an independent audit to ensure conformance with quality system requirements.

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. They 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.

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 United States 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.

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Gina DePinto
Bylines Public Relations & Marketing
phone 760-730-1930
fax 760-730-1949
cell 760-271-7934
e-mail ginadepinto@earthlink.net