NSF International, a leader in food safety auditing and certification services, has obtained ISO 22000 accreditation from the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). ISO 22000 accreditation enables NSF International to register food safety management systems for companies worldwide.

ISO 22000 was created by the International Organization of Standardization to ensure that proper and universally accepted food safety procedures are being followed throughout the supply chain. ISO 22000 shares the same foundation with the universally accepted Quality Management Standard ISO 9001 but has a greater focus on food safety management and incorporates Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles.

In order to earn accreditation, NSF International had to follow a rigorous application and auditing process that included a formal review of processes and procedures, auditor qualifications and a witness audit. The witness audit verified that NSF International auditors are highly competent and can perform the audits to the standard’s requirements. To maintain accreditation, NSF International will undergo an annual office and witness audit. ANAB is a leader in accreditation processes that build confidence and value for stakeholders worldwide.

Earning accreditation for ISO 22000 provides NSF International with more credibility in the worldwide food market and complements the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based company’s existing portfolio of food safety management services, including certifications to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked standards such as Safe Quality Food (SQF) and British Retail Consortium (BRC).

“NSF International has sixty-five years of experience in food safety inspection, certification, and auditing that provides an advance level of competence and has proven invaluable to companies in the food industry,” said Tom Chestnut, NSF International vice president of supply chain food safety and quality. “This accreditation is a natural evolution of our extensive food safety credentials. The food industry relies on NSF International to provide credible food safety management system registrations to companies throughout the world.”

Maintaining food safety throughout the entire global supply chain has become a main priority for food companies, including crop producers, food manufacturers and processors, and producers of equipment and packaging materials. Food companies are demanding that quality assurance standards and systems be in place to enhance their overall safety and quality efforts, and implementing ISO 22000 is an effective way to demonstrate this commitment.

“NSF International auditors are among the most knowledgeable in the industry,” said Christian Lupo, general manager of NSF International subsidiary, NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR). “They are assigned based on their area of expertise. Companies are always assigned an auditor that has the experience and knowledge necessary to provide the best support for a successful ISO 22000 registration.”

More information on NSF International’s food safety services, please visit http://www.nsf.org/business/iso_22000/index.asp?program=ISO22000.

About NSF International
NSF International, an independent not-for-profit organization, certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods to minimize adverse health effects. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide and operates in more than 120 countries. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.
NSF International’s ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems Registration is offered through its subsidiary NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR) and complements the wide range of comprehensive food safety solutions provided by NSF, including certification to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked standards, such as Safe Quality Food (SQF) and British Retail Consortium (BRC). These global food safety certification systems promote consistency across the supply chain and provide independent certification that a product, process, or service complies with international, regulatory, and other specified standards.

Additional NSF services include sustainable standards development and product certification, greenhouse gas verification and environmental management systems registration, training and education, safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), and organic certification provided by QAI (Quality Assurance International).

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is coordinated by The Consumer Goods Forum, which launched May 2000.

For more information, visit www.nsf.org.

CONTACT:
Greta Houlahan, NSF International
248/866-5326
houlahan@nsf.org