PFAS began to make headlines around a decade ago, reaching a crescendo in in 2022 with a growing number of litigations and media coverage. Dubbed “forever chemicals,” PFAS never degrade. They have been linked to liver disease, cancers and child development problems. The U.S. EPA has shortlisted 430 substances of concern so far.

NSF’s Certification Guideline 537: PFAS-Free Products for Nonfood Compounds and Food Equipment Materials aims to help manufacturers ensure there are no intentionally added PFAS in their products.

To gain NSF 537 certification, recipients must first be registered with NSF’s Nonfood Compounds Guidelines or certified by NSF to ISO 21469, Safety of Machinery, Lubricants with Incidental Product Contact-Hygiene Requirements. Food equipment materials must be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 51: Food Equipment Materials to ensure that products meet minimum public health and sanitation requirements. 

“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,” Sam Cole, director of food contact evaluation at NSF, said in the release. “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.”

NSF is an independent testing, certification and standards organization focused on improving public health through best practices in the food, nutrition, water, life sciences and consumer goods industries.