NSF International Bakery Products Standard Adopted As American National Standard

ANN ARBOR, MI – NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company, (www.nsf.org), announces the adoption of NSF Standard 75 as an American National Standard. This Standard was developed using an ANSI-accredited consensus process, with participation from manufacturers, regulators including FDA, and retailers. ANSI/NSF Standard 75 provides evaluation criteria and test methods for specific bakery products to determine whether or not a product supports rapid and progressive growth of harmful microorganisms.

ANSI/NSF Standard 75 includes four main categories:

• breads or pastries containing vegetables or soft cheeses added prior to baking;
  
• bakery products filled or topped with crème, custard or cheese after baking;
  
• products filled prior to baking such as pumpkin, sweet potato, custard or meringue pies, and;
  
• components such as toppings, glazes, icings, or fillings stored without temperature control prior to being used in other products.

NSF, in partnership with Silliker Laboratories Group, Inc., offers testing and certification services to ANSI/NSF Standard 75. Several manufacturers have already been certified to the Draft Standard, introduced in September 1999. Certification to this Standard not only increases food safety and acceptance by regulators, it also allows manufacturers and retailers to display these products confidently without refrigeration. Local and state inspectors recognize and trust the NSF Mark.

Founded in 1967, Silliker is North America's leading food testing and consulting organization. Based in Homewood, Illinois, Silliker has more than thirty years experience in testing, research, consulting and education services related to the safety, stability and nutritional value of food.

With offices around the world, NSF International certifies and tests more than 130,000 products from 82 countries. Manufacturers and regulators in the U.S. and abroad rely on NSF as the leader in public health and safety. NSF is the only company that has earned designation as a Collaborating Centre by the World Health Organization for both Food Safety and Drinking Water Safety and Treatment.

For more information on product certification, contact Kathleen Pompliano, Business Development Manager, at (734) 827-6856 or Pompliano@nsf.org.

NSF International, 789 Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Tel: 800-NSF-MARK; Fax: 734-913-5787.