The National Sanitary Foundation (NSF), an independent standards-setting organization, has announced that it will release the second edition of its “White Book” in February. NSF operates a “Nonfood Compounds” registration program similar to the “prior approval process” once operated by the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
NSF’s program is open to all compounds that were once subject to the prior approval process, such as food-grade lubricants, cleaning compounds, sanitizers, laundry agents, boiler and water treatments, and pesticides. Several ILMA members register their nonfood compounds with NSF.
After FSIS eliminated the prior approval process in 1998, NSF stepped in to fill the void with its private, voluntary program. Working with FSIS, NSF captured all the prior review processes and included them in the new program, such as toxicological review of ingredients, label review, determination of intended use classification, and registration approval decision. The program provides product manufacturers, users, and regulatory/inspector groups with a proven process for determining product acceptability. This program also complements NSF Food Safety initiatives in equipment, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan validation services, and education.
NSF’s “White Book” is a compilation of all of the listings that the group has collected. It is the only comprehensive and up-to-date listing of nonfood compounds used in food establishments, and includes products authorized by the discontinued FSIS program, approved by the State of Wisconsin, or registered through the NSF program. In order to be included in the second edition of the White Book™, manufacturers must return their applications to NSF by January 31, 2002. New companies who have not yet participated in the NSF program can obtain the application information by contacting Dorothy Erby, Customer Service Representative, at 888-NSF-FOOD.
Additional information on NSF’s program, including registration guidelines and forms, is available on the internet at http://www.nsf.org/usda/ .
