NSF Protocol 525 assesses food contact materials against rigorous, science-based requirements and industry standards, protecting the public and brands from toxins such as PFAS, BPA and heavy metals.
Recent research has underscored the health risks of toxic substances leaching from packaging into food, increasing concerns among both consumers and manufacturers. When you see the NSF P525: Safe Food Packaging certification mark on food products, you can rest assured that it has been reviewed by independent, third-party technical experts and scientists to help verify limited exposure to chemicals of concern.”
Sam Cole, Director of Food Contact Evaluations, NSF.
- Regulatory compliance: The packaging product is reviewed for compliance with region/country-specific regulations.
- Material migration testing: Food contact materials undergo lab testing using food simulants and a technical review to assess the potential of identified chemicals leaching into food.
- “Free From” claim verification: The packaging material is tested to confirm it is truly “free from” specific chemicals such as BPA, PFAS, phthalates and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), and heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
*Geueke, B., Parkinson, L.V., Groh, K.J. et al. Evidence for widespread human exposure to food contact chemicals. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 35, 330–341 (2025).