India’s Animal Feed Quality Control Order 2026: A Landmark Reform for Livestock Farmers, Animal Nutrition and the Future of Indian Livestock
From Quality Assurance to Livestock Prosperity: Why India’s New Regulatory Framework Matters
By Dr Rajesh Kumar Singh
Editor-in-Chief, Pashudhan Praharee
A New Chapter in India’s Livestock Development
The Government of India has taken an important step towards strengthening quality assurance in the livestock nutrition sector through the notification of the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on 12 October 2026.
Issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Order represents a significant development in the regulation of selected feed supplements and mineral inputs used in livestock production.
For a country where millions of rural households depend on dairy farming, cattle rearing and other livestock-based activities for their livelihoods, the quality of animal nutrition is not merely a technical issue. It is directly connected with milk production, animal health, reproductive efficiency, farm profitability and the long-term sustainability of rural livelihoods.
The new Order establishes a mandatory conformity framework for three important categories of products: mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds, dicalcium phosphate of animal-feed grade, and common salt and cattle licks intended for animal consumption.
By requiring these products to conform to the relevant Indian Standards and carry the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Standard Mark under licence, the Government is creating a stronger regulatory foundation for quality assurance in an important segment of the livestock nutrition industry.
The significance of this development extends beyond manufacturers and regulators. Its ultimate value will be determined by how effectively it protects livestock farmers, improves the reliability of nutritional inputs and builds confidence throughout the livestock value chain.
1. Understanding the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026
The Order, notified as S.O. 5576(E), is issued under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, following consultation with BIS.
Its principal requirement is that the specified products must comply with the corresponding Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under an appropriate licence.
The three product categories covered are:
1. Mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds — IS 1664
Mineral mixtures provide essential minerals that support the physiological functions of cattle. Depending on the formulation and the animal’s requirements, these minerals contribute to bone development, metabolic processes, reproductive performance and overall health.
Reliable mineral supplementation is particularly important where the basal diet does not provide adequate quantities or an appropriate balance of essential minerals.
2. Dicalcium phosphate, animal-feed grade — IS 5470
Dicalcium phosphate is an important source of calcium and phosphorus in animal nutrition. These minerals are essential for skeletal development and maintenance, while phosphorus also participates in energy metabolism and other physiological functions.
The quality and suitability of feed-grade dicalcium phosphate are therefore important considerations in the formulation of balanced livestock rations.
3. Common salt and cattle licks for animal consumption — IS 920
Common salt supplies sodium and chloride, which are necessary for normal physiological functions. Properly formulated cattle licks can also provide minerals according to their composition and intended use.
Ensuring conformity with the applicable standard can help establish greater consistency and reliability in these products.
The Order also specifies that the latest versions of the relevant Indian Standards, including amendments notified by BIS from time to time, will apply.
BIS is designated as the certification and enforcement authority, and contraventions are punishable under the BIS Act, 2016.
It is important to recognise the precise scope of this legislation: the 2026 Order does not automatically bring every compound feed, feed ingredient, poultry feed, fish feed or livestock nutritional supplement under mandatory certification. Its immediate requirements concern the three product categories specifically listed in the Gazette.
This distinction is essential for accurate interpretation and responsible implementation.
2. Implementation Timeline: A Phased Transition for Industry
The Government has provided different implementation dates for enterprises of different sizes, allowing smaller manufacturers additional time to prepare for compliance.
Category of enterpriseImplementation dateEnterprises other than micro and small enterprises1 April 2027Small enterprises1 July 2027Micro enterprises1 October 2027
Products intended for export are exempt from the Order.
The phased approach is a constructive feature of the regulatory framework. It acknowledges that manufacturers differ in their financial resources, technical infrastructure, laboratory access and capacity to meet certification requirements.
However, the transition period should not be treated as merely a deadline for obtaining a licence. It should be used to improve manufacturing practices, review raw-material quality, establish appropriate testing arrangements, strengthen documentation and train personnel.
Manufacturers that begin preparations early will be better positioned to manage compliance costs and avoid disruption to their businesses.
3. Why Was Such a Regulatory Intervention Necessary?
Livestock nutrition is one of the foundations of productive animal husbandry. Yet the effectiveness of a nutritional programme depends not only on how much feed an animal receives, but also on the quality, composition and suitability of the ingredients used.
A farmer may purchase a mineral mixture or nutritional supplement in the expectation that it will provide the declared nutritional benefits. If the product does not conform to the applicable specification, the farmer may not receive the expected value from the purchase.
Potential problems associated with poor-quality or unsuitable mineral products include inadequate supplementation, inconsistent nutrient supply and unnecessary expenditure on inputs that do not meet the required specifications.
The actual consequences depend on the nature and extent of the quality deviation, the animal’s diet, physiological status and other management factors. Not every deviation produces the same clinical or production outcome.
The problem is particularly significant for smallholder dairy farmers, who often operate with limited financial reserves and depend on the performance of a relatively small number of animals.
For these farmers, an ineffective nutritional input can mean wasted expenditure, delayed improvements in productivity and additional management challenges.
A mandatory conformity framework can help address one important part of this problem by establishing a common quality benchmark for specified products.
It also creates a clearer basis for regulatory oversight and gives responsible manufacturers an opportunity to distinguish compliant products from those that fail to meet the prescribed requirements.
4. What Does This Mean for Livestock Farmers?
The real test of any livestock policy is its impact at the farm level.
The new Order has the potential to benefit livestock farmers in several important ways.
A. Greater Assurance of Product Quality
Mandatory conformity with the relevant Indian Standards, supported by BIS licensing and enforcement, provides a more formal mechanism for checking the quality of the specified products.
For farmers, this can make the selection of mineral mixtures, feed-grade dicalcium phosphate, common salt and cattle licks more dependable.
The BIS Standard Mark can serve as an important purchasing reference, provided farmers also check that the product and licence are genuine and applicable.
B. Better Value for Money
Livestock farmers frequently make nutritional decisions under financial constraints.
A product that meets the applicable specifications offers a stronger basis for confidence that the farmer is purchasing an input manufactured to the required standard.
Over time, better quality assurance may help reduce expenditure on substandard products and improve the value obtained from nutritional supplementation.
Nevertheless, certification alone cannot guarantee a particular increase in milk yield or a specific reduction in feed costs. Such outcomes depend on the animal’s overall diet, genetics, health, housing, management and the suitability of the supplement.
C. Support for Balanced Animal Nutrition
Minerals are essential components of livestock nutrition, but their benefits depend on correct formulation and appropriate use.
Quality-controlled products can support more reliable nutritional management when selected according to the needs of the animal and the composition of its basal diet.
Veterinary professionals and animal nutritionists will continue to play an essential role in advising farmers about the appropriate product, dosage and method of supplementation.
Farmers should not assume that increasing mineral supplementation beyond recommended levels will necessarily improve production.
D. Potential Improvement in Productivity and Profitability
The relationship between nutrition and livestock productivity is well established. Inadequate or imbalanced nutrition can limit production, compromise animal health and affect reproductive performance.
By strengthening the quality assurance of specified nutritional inputs, the Order can support more effective feeding programmes.
The economic benefit, however, will depend on whether compliant products are readily available, reasonably priced and used appropriately within scientifically sound feeding systems.
E. Greater Confidence in the Livestock Supply Chain
Trust is an important but often overlooked component of agricultural markets.
When farmers have greater confidence in the quality of the inputs they purchase, it can strengthen relationships between manufacturers, dealers, veterinarians and livestock producers.
Over time, effective implementation may encourage a shift from purchasing decisions based primarily on price and promotional claims towards decisions informed by quality, suitability and reliability.
5. Why Mineral Nutrition Matters for India’s Dairy Sector
India’s dairy sector operates through a diverse production system that includes smallholder dairy farmers, cooperative networks, commercial dairy farms and integrated livestock enterprises.
Across these systems, animal nutrition remains central to productive and economically sustainable dairying.
Mineral requirements vary according to species, breed, age, body weight, physiological stage, production level and the composition of the basal ration.
Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important for skeletal development and maintenance. Sodium and chloride contribute to normal physiological functions, while other essential minerals support a range of metabolic and reproductive processes.
However, the nutritional needs of an animal cannot be assessed simply by looking at the quantity of mineral mixture supplied.
A scientifically sound feeding programme must consider the total dietary intake of nutrients, the availability of those nutrients, their interactions and the animal’s actual requirements.
This is where the new Order becomes relevant.
By requiring conformity to specified Indian Standards for important mineral products, the Government is strengthening the quality assurance framework for selected inputs used in livestock nutrition.
It is a meaningful step towards a livestock production system in which nutritional recommendations are supported by more dependable products.
The broader ambition should be to integrate quality-controlled nutritional inputs with veterinary advice, ration balancing, regular health monitoring and farmer education.
Such an integrated approach offers a stronger foundation for sustainable improvements in dairy productivity than any single intervention in isolation.
6. Implications for Feed Manufacturers and the Animal Nutrition Industry
The Order will have important implications for manufacturers, importers, distributors and other businesses handling the specified products, subject to the applicable legal provisions.
A. A Stronger Culture of Quality Compliance
Manufacturers will need to ensure that the products covered by the Order meet the relevant specifications and are supplied under the required BIS licensing framework.
This will encourage greater attention to raw-material selection, production consistency, quality-control procedures, product testing and documentation.
Businesses that already follow strong quality-management practices may be better prepared for the transition.
B. Greater Accountability and Market Transparency
Mandatory certification can strengthen the basis for regulatory action against non-compliant products.
It may also make it easier for farmers and institutional purchasers to identify products that meet the prescribed requirements.
However, the benefits will depend on effective surveillance, reliable testing and timely action against violations.
C. Opportunities for Quality-Conscious Manufacturers
The transition may create opportunities for manufacturers that invest in reliable production systems, technical expertise and transparent quality assurance.
Companies that demonstrate consistent compliance can strengthen their credibility with dairy cooperatives, feed dealers, livestock institutions and organised dairy enterprises.
In the long term, quality can become an important competitive advantage rather than merely a regulatory obligation.
D. The Challenge of Compliance Costs
The transition will not be equally easy for every manufacturer.
Obtaining and maintaining certification, arranging appropriate testing, upgrading equipment, improving documentation and ensuring conformity may involve additional expenditure.
Larger businesses may be better equipped to absorb these costs, while smaller enterprises may face greater financial and technical constraints.
Some manufacturers may need to invest in new equipment, improve process controls or revise their procurement arrangements.
Depending on market conditions and the degree of competition, part of the additional compliance cost could be reflected in product prices.
It would therefore be premature to assume that the Order will automatically reduce prices or make all certified products affordable to every farmer.
The policy challenge is to ensure that stronger quality assurance does not unnecessarily restrict market access or disproportionately disadvantage smaller manufacturers.
7. Potential Risks and Unintended Consequences: What Must Be Managed?
A progressive regulatory measure should be evaluated not only by its objectives but also by the quality of its implementation.
Several issues deserve attention.
Risk 1: Increased Product Prices
Compliance costs may increase the cost of manufacturing and supplying the covered products.
If these costs are passed on to farmers, some livestock producers may reduce their use of nutritional supplements or switch to less suitable alternatives.
The extent of any price impact will depend on competition, production efficiency, certification costs, distribution arrangements and market behaviour.
Authorities should therefore monitor prices and availability during the transition.
Risk 2: Disproportionate Pressure on Micro and Small Enterprises
Smaller manufacturers may have limited access to analytical laboratories, technical consultants and specialised quality-control infrastructure.
Without practical support, some may struggle to complete certification within the prescribed timelines.
A well-designed implementation programme should combine enforcement with technical guidance, training and accessible testing facilities.
Risk 3: Shortages or Market Concentration
If manufacturers fail to prepare in time, the market could experience temporary supply disruptions in particular regions or product categories.
There is also a possibility that compliance costs could make it more difficult for some smaller businesses to compete.
These are potential risks, not inevitable consequences of the Order.
Early industry engagement, adequate laboratory capacity and effective market monitoring can help minimise them.
Risk 4: Misleading Interpretations of the BIS Mark
Certification is an important quality assurance mechanism, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee of every possible nutritional or performance outcome.
Farmers must still choose products suitable for their animals and follow appropriate feeding recommendations.
Equally, manufacturers and dealers should avoid making unsupported claims about milk yield, fertility or disease prevention.
Risk 5: Confusing Certification with Complete Feed Safety
The 2026 Order covers three specified product categories. It should not be interpreted as a comprehensive regulatory framework for every aspect of animal feed safety.
Issues such as contamination, traceability, manufacturing hygiene, labelling, adulteration and other feed ingredients may require attention under additional applicable laws, standards and regulatory arrangements.
This distinction is particularly important as India develops a broader and more integrated animal nutrition policy.
8. The Next Priority: Reliable Laboratories and NABL-Accredited Testing
One of the most important implementation challenges will be the availability of credible analytical testing.
The publication of a quality-control order establishes the regulatory requirement, but effective compliance depends on the ability to determine whether products actually meet the relevant specifications.
This requires appropriate sampling procedures, validated analytical methods, competent technical personnel, suitable equipment and reliable reporting systems.
Laboratory accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), where applicable, can provide an important mechanism for demonstrating technical competence.
However, accreditation must cover the relevant product categories and the actual test parameters required for compliance. A laboratory’s general accreditation status should not automatically be taken to mean that every required test falls within its accredited scope.
The following measures should be prioritised:
1. Expand access to competent testing facilities.
Manufacturers should be able to obtain the required tests within reasonable distances and timeframes.
2. Strengthen university and research-institution laboratories.
Veterinary universities, agricultural universities and research institutions can contribute through analytical services, technical training and collaborative research, subject to the applicable accreditation, authorisation and regulatory requirements.
3. Establish clear sampling and testing protocols.
Consistent procedures will improve the reliability and comparability of results.
4. Make testing accessible to smaller enterprises.
Affordable testing arrangements, shared facilities and technical guidance can reduce unnecessary compliance barriers.
5. Strengthen enforcement transparency.
Clear information about licensing requirements, testing procedures and compliance obligations will help manufacturers prepare effectively.
6. Develop farmer-awareness programmes.
Farmers and livestock extension workers should understand how to identify genuine certified products and where to report suspected non-compliance.
Without these supporting measures, the regulatory framework may face implementation bottlenecks. With them, it can become a practical instrument for improving product quality throughout the supply chain.
9. International Lessons: What Can India Learn from the United States and European Union?
India is not alone in recognising the importance of feed quality and safety.
Developed economies have established regulatory systems that address animal feed through different combinations of product standards, manufacturing requirements, ingredient controls, labelling rules and official oversight.
Their experiences offer useful lessons for India’s evolving framework.
A. United States: Preventive Controls for Animal Food
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates animal food, including livestock feed, feed ingredients and pet food, under the applicable federal legal framework.
The FDA’s implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act includes the Preventive Controls for Animal Food regulation, commonly referred to as the PCAF rule.
For covered facilities, the framework establishes requirements involving current good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis, risk-based preventive controls, monitoring, corrective actions and verification.
The approach focuses on preventing or minimising hazards during the manufacture, processing, packing and holding of animal food.
The key lesson for India is that product conformity and manufacturing-system controls serve complementary purposes.
The BIS Standard Mark can provide an important conformity mechanism for specified products. Over time, India can further strengthen animal feed assurance by improving risk-based surveillance, manufacturing hygiene, ingredient traceability and preventive quality-management practices across the wider sector.
The American framework is not identical to India’s 2026 Order, and its requirements should not be presented as directly interchangeable with BIS product certification.
B. European Union: Feed Safety Across the Supply Chain
The European Union regulates animal feed through a broader legal framework covering feed hygiene, marketing, ingredients, additives and undesirable substances.
Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 establishes rules relating to the marketing and use of feed materials and compound feed.
The EU also has a separate framework for feed hygiene and provisions intended to control undesirable substances in animal nutrition.
This approach reflects the principle that feed safety is closely connected with animal health, consumer protection and environmental protection.
The key lesson for India is the importance of a comprehensive, risk-based approach that extends beyond the quality of individual products.
Mandatory conformity for mineral mixtures and other specified inputs is a valuable step. A broader system incorporating appropriate controls for different feed categories, manufacturing processes, labelling, contaminants and traceability could further strengthen confidence in India’s livestock nutrition sector.
C. The Way Forward for India
International experience suggests that effective feed regulation requires more than legislation alone.
It requires competent institutions, technically sound standards, accessible testing facilities, industry cooperation, transparent enforcement and informed farmers.
India should build on the 2026 Order while recognising the diversity of its livestock sector, the large number of smallholder farmers and the economic realities of micro and small enterprises.
The objective should be a regulatory system that is scientifically credible, practical to implement and proportionate to the risks being addressed.
10. Implications for Veterinary Universities and Research Institutions
Veterinary and agricultural institutions have an important opportunity to contribute to the successful implementation of the Order.
Their role should extend beyond classroom education.
Universities and research institutions can support the transition through:
Analytical testing services, where appropriately equipped and authorised.
Research on mineral nutrition and locally relevant feeding systems.
Training programmes for manufacturers and quality-control personnel.
Capacity-building initiatives for veterinarians and livestock extension workers.
Farmer education on balanced feeding and responsible supplementation.
Research into the quality and composition of commercially available nutritional products.
Collaboration with regulatory authorities and industry on testing methodologies and technical guidance.
Research can also help identify regional differences in feed resources and mineral requirements, supporting more effective extension programmes.
The larger opportunity is to connect scientific knowledge with practical livestock management.
A quality-control order will be most effective when its requirements are understood not only by manufacturers and regulators but also by the veterinary professionals who advise farmers on the ground.
11. Why This Matters for Smallholder Farmers and Rural Livelihoods
For India’s livestock farmers, the significance of the Order ultimately lies in the relationship between input quality and household economics.
A dairy farmer’s profitability depends on several interconnected factors, including feed costs, milk yield, animal health, reproductive performance, access to veterinary care and the price received for milk.
The quality of nutritional inputs is one component of this wider production system.
By strengthening quality assurance for specified mineral products, the Order can support farmers’ efforts to use their resources more effectively.
Its potential contribution is particularly relevant to rural households that cannot easily absorb repeated losses caused by unsuitable or ineffective agricultural inputs.
However, quality regulation must be accompanied by accessible extension services, affordable products and appropriate technical advice.
A certified mineral mixture will not compensate for an inadequate basal ration, poor-quality fodder, insufficient clean water or inadequate veterinary care.
Similarly, a product that conforms to the applicable standard may still be unsuitable for a particular animal if it is selected or used incorrectly.
The most effective approach combines reliable products with balanced feeding, good animal husbandry and informed decision-making.
For this reason, the Order should be viewed as one important component of a broader strategy for strengthening rural livestock livelihoods.
12. The Future: From Product Certification to a Quality-Driven Livestock Economy
The 2026 Order creates an opportunity to build a stronger quality culture in India’s animal nutrition industry.
Several priorities should guide the next phase of development.
A. Strengthening the Wider Feed Quality Framework
The Government and relevant technical institutions should continue evaluating quality-assurance needs across other important feed ingredients and nutritional products, based on scientific evidence, risk assessment and stakeholder consultation.
Any extension of mandatory requirements should be supported by clear standards, adequate testing capacity and realistic implementation arrangements.
B. Improving Traceability and Market Surveillance
Appropriate digital systems could help regulators manage licensing information, identify non-compliant products and improve the transparency of enforcement.
Where feasible, better traceability can also help manufacturers investigate quality complaints and identify problems in their supply chains.
C. Encouraging Responsible Manufacturing
Industry associations can play a constructive role by disseminating information about compliance requirements, organising training and encouraging members to invest in quality systems.
Responsible manufacturers should view the Order as an opportunity to strengthen consumer confidence rather than simply as an additional regulatory obligation.
D. Integrating Quality Assurance with Scientific Feeding
The next stage of livestock development should connect quality-controlled nutritional products with ration balancing, fodder development, veterinary services and farmer education.
Such integration is essential because productivity is determined by the overall feeding and management system, not by a single supplement.
E. Monitoring Outcomes Through Evidence
The impact of the Order should be assessed through measurable indicators, including product conformity, testing turnaround time, market availability, compliance costs, consumer complaints and the incidence of detected non-compliance.
Where appropriate, researchers could also examine changes in farmer purchasing behaviour and the economic consequences for different categories of livestock producers.
Evidence-based evaluation will help policymakers identify implementation gaps and make adjustments where necessary.
13. Recommendations for Effective Implementation
To ensure that the Order delivers meaningful benefits, the following actions deserve priority:
Publish clear implementation guidance: Manufacturers should have easy access to information about the applicable standards, licensing procedures, testing requirements and compliance timelines.
Strengthen laboratory capacity: Testing facilities should have the technical competence and appropriate scope needed to assess the relevant products and parameters.
Support micro and small enterprises: Training, technical guidance and affordable access to testing should help smaller businesses prepare for the prescribed deadlines.
Protect farmers against misleading claims: Market surveillance and awareness programmes should discourage the sale of non-compliant products and unsupported promotional claims.
Monitor prices and availability: Authorities should watch for avoidable supply disruptions or excessive market concentration during the transition.
Promote veterinary-led nutrition advice: Farmers should be encouraged to select supplements according to their animals’ actual requirements and overall dietary intake.
Encourage institutional collaboration: BIS, government departments, veterinary universities, research institutions, manufacturers and farmer organisations should work together to resolve technical and implementation challenges.
Evaluate the results: Periodic assessment should establish whether the Order is improving conformity and market confidence while remaining practical for manufacturers and affordable for livestock farmers.
These measures can help ensure that regulatory compliance translates into meaningful improvements on the ground.
Conclusion: A Landmark Opportunity for India’s Livestock Sector
The Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026, is a welcome development in India’s efforts to strengthen quality assurance for important livestock nutritional inputs.
By establishing mandatory conformity requirements for mineral mixtures used in cattle feeds, animal-feed-grade dicalcium phosphate, and common salt and cattle licks for animal consumption, the Government has taken a significant step towards a more accountable and quality-conscious market for these products.
For livestock farmers, the potential benefits include greater confidence in specified nutritional inputs, a stronger basis for informed purchasing decisions and better protection against products that fail to meet prescribed standards.
For responsible manufacturers, the Order offers an opportunity to build credibility through consistent quality and transparent compliance.
For veterinary universities, research institutions and regulatory bodies, it creates an important platform for collaboration in analytical testing, scientific feeding practices and farmer awareness.
At the same time, the challenges must not be overlooked. Compliance costs, testing capacity, market access and affordability will require careful attention, particularly for micro and small enterprises.
The success of the Order will therefore depend not only on the notification itself but also on the quality of implementation.
India should seize this opportunity to strengthen laboratory infrastructure, promote responsible manufacturing, improve regulatory transparency and connect quality assurance with scientific animal nutrition.
The ultimate objective must be simple: every livestock farmer should have greater confidence in the quality of the nutritional inputs they purchase, and every responsible manufacturer should have a fair opportunity to compete through quality.
A stronger quality-assurance system for animal nutrition can contribute to healthier livestock, more efficient production systems and more resilient rural livelihoods.
The 2026 Order is an important step in that direction. With effective implementation and continued scientific and institutional support, it can become a foundation for further progress in India’s livestock sector.
Quality animal nutrition is not merely an industry requirement; it is an investment in animal health, farmer prosperity and the future of Indian agriculture.
Advancing Scientific Animal Husbandry, Livestock Development and Rural Prosperity
India’s Animal Feed Quality Control Order 2026: A Landmark Reform for Livestock Farmers, Animal Nutrition and the Future of Indian Livestock
Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients_compressed
