Necrotic enteritis (NE) has been largely found in commercial broiler chickens when they are produced without the use of antimicrobial growth promoters. The present invention provides a method and use of oxidized carotenoids, components thereof and compositions and products containing same, such as OxBC ('OxC-beta™, Product from Avivagen Inc., Canada) for preventing necrotic enteritis in animals, such as poultry. Related compositions, kits are also herein included in the invention.