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As a result of increasing questions about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s policy on veterinary drugs/antibiotics in aquaculture, the following information is provided to add clarity about permitted drug/antibiotic use with fish and seafood products raised in or imported into the United States.

Only FDA approved drugs may be used in farmed products destined for the U.S. market. These drugs may only be used for the specified species in the prescribed manner.

When a drug is approved by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), the conditions of the approval are listed on its label or in the labeling. Only a licensed veterinarian may legally prescribe a drug under conditions that are not listed on the label (extra-label use). The extralabel use restrictions are fully explained in 21 CFR 530. FDA’s CVM Aquaculture website has additional information on the animal drug approval process.

The only drugs approved by FDA for aquaculture use are listed in the chart below. The Code of Federal Regulations provides additional details on the conditions of use (e.g., dosage levels).