Leading retailers that sell animal health supplements are partnering with National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to reduce incidences of regulatory action and to provide consumers with guidance on purchasing reputable products for animals.

The nonprofit industry trade association was formed to ensure the availability of products that contribute to the health and well-being of animals and develop current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards in the short-term, while working to establish viable long-term regulatory solutions.

"If a product is not properly labeled then state officials can take it off the shelf immediately (which is called a stop sale)," says Bill Bookout, president of NASC. "We have drastically reduced the incidences of stop sales for retailers because our members follow strict labeling and claims guidelines for both feed products as well as animal health supplements and proactively register them with the regulatory agencies that have authority over these products."

Not only are retailers relying on NASC for representation and guidance in the event of a government-issued stop sale, but retailers are elevating awareness of the association to help educate consumers at point-of-purchase displays. Signage carrying the NASC Quality Seal directs consumers to buy vitamins and health supplements that meet the highest level of industry standards for quality and vigilance. The NASC seal can be found on many of the equine supplements being sold in the United States