The NSF Bakery Products Certification Program/Standard 75

NSF is offering a voluntary certification program to the requirements established in NSF Standard 75. NSF Standard 75 was developed using a consensus process which involved participation from FDA, state regulators, product manufacturers, and retail food establishments. NSF Standard 75 is now published as a Draft Standard for Trial Use. This standard was developed after the Conference for Food Protection meeting in 1996. Participants recommended that FDA work with a third party to develop a standard containing written specific criteria for challenge testing products traditionally considered to be potentially hazardous foods.
Standard 75 provides test methods and evaluation criteria to allow for the determination that a product does not require refrigeration for safety. Certification to Standard 75 provides a mechanism for laboratory evidence, in accordance with the Food Code, that a product is not a potentially hazardous food.

Four specific categories of products are included within the scope:
1. Specialty breads or pastries containing fresh, canned frozen or rehydrated vegetables or soft cheeses added prior to baking. An example of a product in this category is cheese Danish.
2. Bakery products including pastries filled or topped with crème, custard, or cheese after baking. An example is Boston Cream Pie.
3. Products filled prior to baking such as pumpkin, sweet potato, custard or meringue pies.
4. Components including: toppings, glazes, icings, or fillings stored without temperature control prior to use in other products.

A specific list of products excluded from the scope of the Standard includes:
1. Bakery products containing dehydrated vegetables.
2. Bakery products containing fruit fillings.
3. Individually pre-portioned wrapped and fruit-filled, crème-filled, and/or frosted products such as pre-wrapped snack cakes.
4. Traditional breads and pastries including white bread, bagels, donuts or muffins.
5. Food products rendered non-potentially hazardous by special packaging (for example, modified atmosphere packaging).

NSF International, 789 N. Dixboro, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Tel: 800 673-6275; Fax: 734-827-6840.