Cows Get Chromium Boost: FDA Okays Fancy Feed Supplement
Published Date: 8/19/2026
Rule
Summary
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we, or the Agency) is amending the regulations for food additives permitted in feed and drinking water of animals to provide for the safe use of chromium DL- methionine chelate as a nutritional source of chromium in cattle feed. This action is in response to a food additive petition filed by Zinpro Corp.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
FDA approves chromium chelate for cattle feed
The FDA amended animal feed rules to allow chromium DL-methionine chelate to be used as a nutritional source of chromium in cattle feed, effective August 19, 2026. The Agency says the data show the additive is safe and that the final order will result in expanded production options.
Manufacturing and contaminant specifications required
Manufacturers must meet composition and contaminant specs: total chromium 5–6%, chelated chromium at least 98% of total chromium, DL-methionine 80–85%, hexavalent chromium <20 ppm, arsenic <0.1 ppm, cadmium <0.05 ppm, lead <0.1 ppm, and mercury <0.05 ppm. The additive must be produced as tris (DL-methioninato) chromium (III) hydrochloride with the stated empirical formula.
Chromium concentration limits in complete feed
The rule limits chromium from chromium DL-methionine chelate to no more than 0.5 milligrams of chromium per kilogram of complete cattle feed and states chromium from all supplemental sources cannot exceed 0.5 parts per million (ppm) in complete feed. These limits are part of the conditions for use.
Premix and labeling requirements for use
The rule requires the additive be incorporated by adding no less than one pound of a premix per ton of complete feed, with the premix containing no more than 453.6 milligrams of added chromium per pound. Labels for the additive, any premix, and feed must state the additive name, minimum and maximum guarantees for added chromium, adequate directions and cautions including the statement: "Caution: Follow label directions," and warnings and safety precautions.
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