NSF

NSF (accredited third-party certification) is the public health and safety organization that certifies products and systems. In the food industry it is the most trusted name since it has been helping businesses, restaurants and retail industries for more than 70 years. NSF quality services include certification, testing, training, consulting, auditing and regulatory compliance. 


Among the food related categories NSF works with we find beverages and bottled water, crisis prevention and management, food equipment, food fraud, restaurant and food service, etc. For restaurants, NSF impacts on reputation and consistent food safety practices. There are two certifications restaurants can apply for:

NSF- CertifiedFood Equipment: provides assurance to restaurant owners and inspectors that equipment is made from safe material, is designed and constructed for easy cleanability and performs as intended.

NSF- GlobalFood Safety Initiative: adds assurance of safe and high quality food, ingredient and beverage supplies to strengthen food safety along the foodservice supply chain.

NSF standards are developed by joint committees and reviewed and accepted by the NSF Council of Public Health Consultants. The certification process is specific to the product, process or service being certified and assurances that it complies with the technical requirements of reference. It generally follows seven steps:

1. Application and information submission.

2. Product evaluation.

3. Product testing in lab.

4. Manufacturing facility inspection and product sampling.

5. Test results review and acceptance.

6. Contract signed and products listed.

7. Annual plant inspection and retesting.

References:

NSF (2016). Available from: http://www.nsf.org/es