NSF launches safe food packaging certification

NSF Unveils Safe Food Packaging Certification to Minimize Chemical Risks

NSF, a leading name in public health and safety, has introduced an innovative certification protocol — NSF P525: Safe Food Packaging — aimed at reducing our exposure to harmful synthetic chemicals lurking in food packaging.

The NSF P525 protocol evaluates food contact materials based on strict, science-driven criteria and international industry standards. Its goal is to safeguard both consumers and brands from toxic substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and heavy metals.

This new certification responds to the rising concerns about food contact chemicals (FCCs), many of which are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic (CMR), or act as endocrine disruptors and bioaccumulators. Research indicates that over 80 of the identified FCCs present in humans pose health risks.

“When you spot the NSF P525: Safe Food Packaging certification mark on food products, you can trust that it has been thoroughly evaluated by independent, third-party scientists to ensure limited exposure to concerning chemicals,” said Sam Cole, Director of Food Contact Evaluations at NSF.

Key Features of NSF P525 Certification

The NSF P525 Certification is all about ensuring that single-use, primary, and secondary packaging that comes into contact with food and drinks is safe. This certification confirms that harmful substances have been eliminated through a thorough, science-based evaluation process that includes:

• Regulatory Compliance: This means checking that the packaging materials meet the necessary safety regulations at both regional and national levels.
• Material Migration Testing: This involves lab tests using food simulants and technical analysis to see if any chemicals might leach into the food.
• “Free From” Claim Verification: This testing ensures that the packaging is truly free from certain chemicals like BPA, PFAS, phthalates, and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), as well as heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.

Scope and Applicability

The certification covers a wide variety of packaging products, including bowls, boxes, cans, cartons, clamshells, cups, films, foils, jars, plates, pouches, sachets, trays, tubs, tubes, and wrappers. It applies to materials like plastics, paper, glass, and ceramics.

Once a product is certified, it can proudly display the official “NSF Food Packaging” certification mark and will be listed in NSF’s certification directory for everyone to see.

This certification was developed with input from a Protocol Development Panel made up of key stakeholders, including people from the food packaging industry, retailers, and food manufacturers. NSF P525 builds on NSF’s impressive 80-year history of creating trusted global health and safety standards.

And the best part? Certification to NSF P525 is now available all around the world.

Want to dive deeper into NSF P525 and safe food packaging? Check it out here!