Manufacturers of food equipment materials, nonfood compounds and chemicals can now certify their products to NSF’s PFAS-Free guideline, demonstrating a commitment to human and planet health
With growing concerns and new regulations being introduced on PFAS in our environment and food supply, NSF 537 represents a significant leap forward in consumer safety and transparency. This certification will empower forward-thinking manufacturers to clearly distinguish PFAS-free products, giving both retail and food businesses and consumers confidence and peace of mind.
Sam Cole, Director of Food Contact Evaluation at NSF
- Evidence-based: The guideline is backed by decades of specialist food industry knowledge and standards development and is based on existing limits in regulations.
- Thorough Formulation Review: Technical review of product ingredients, confirming there are no intentionally added PFAS.
- Comprehensive Testing: Ensures minimal to no detected total organic fluorine (TOF) levels with yearly retesting.
- Rigorous Disclosures: This requirement requires the manufacturer to attest that no PFAS additives or post-consumer recycled material are used in the product and that manufacturing facilities minimise cross-contamination.
- Certification Mark: NSF PFAS-Free certified products are accompanied by the relevant official NSF certification mark, signifying compliance with the guideline to retailers and consumers.
- Public Listing: Certified nonfood compounds are listed in the NSF White Book™ and certified food equipment materials are listed in NSF’s Certified Food Equipment listing.
Certification to NSF 537 helps to reduce human exposure to these harmful chemicals while underscoring a commitment to meeting evolving regulations, consequentially opening up exporting opportunities. By demanding NSF 537 certification, specifiers and buyers can further advance sustainable operations, including in food processing facilities, equipment manufacturing and the retail, food service and hospitality sectors.
Sam Cole, Director of Food Contact Evaluation at NSF
Note: PFAS-Free means that the product contains no intentionally added PFAS, no post-consumer recycled material, no intentionally used PFAS additives (PPA, etc.) and the Total Organic Fluorine is less than 50 ppm.
About NSF
NSF is an independent, global services organization dedicated to improving human and planet health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services and digital solutions to the food, nutrition, water, life sciences and consumer goods industries. NSF has 40,000 clients across all continents and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Medical Device Safety.