Action by the FDA

U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
FDA Prime Connection

HHS;PHS;FDA;CFSAN;OFP;DCP;MSB
                                        200  C' Street, S.W.
                                        Washington, DC 20204
 
                                        M-I-97- 3
 
                                        February 28, 1997
 
 
 
 
To:       All Regional Food and Drug Directors
          ATT: Regional Milk Specialists
 
FROM:     Milk Safety Branch (HFS-626)
 
SUBJECT:  Colloidal Silver
 
Please find enclosed an FDA UPDATE which explains the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
position in regards to colloidal silver.
 
The use of colloidal silver-containing products constitutes a potentially serious public health
concern because of the possibility of residues in milk or meat.  The consumption of silver by
humans may result in argyria - a permanent ashen-gray or blue discoloration of the skin,
conjunctiva, and internal organs.
 
Colloidal silver-containing products have never been approved by the FDA for treatment of
animal disease in any animal species.  The "new" item 15r of the PMO, Administrative Procedures
#6 requires that "Unapproved and/or improperly labeled medicinals/drugs are not used to treat
dairy animals and are not stored in the milkhouse, milking barn, stable or parlor."
 
Copies of this memorandum are enclosed for distribution to District Milk Specialists, State Milk
Regulatory Agencies, State Veterinary Boards/Associations, State Laboratory Evaluation Officers
and State Milk Rating Officers in your region.  This memorandum is also available on the FDA
Prime Connection computer bulletin board system (now accessible through the World Wide Web,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's home page, hhtp//VM.CFSAN.FDA.GOV). This
memorandum should be widely distributed to representatives of the milk industry and other
interested parties.
 
                              Joseph M. Smucker
                              Chief, Milk Safety Branch
                              Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
                              HFS-626
                              200 "C" Street, SW
                              Washington, DC 20204