The Slippery Rock asked Mark Kohler, Associate Technical Director, Food Equipment of National Safety Foundation International (NSF) to explain how countertop companies can apply the ANSI 51 standard for food safety when they specify or recommend materials or bid on commercial jobs. 

Q: If our readers are asked to bid on a job that specifies NSF/ANSI51, how do they know if they should quote Food Zone listed material or Splash Zone product? What should they do if the bid package is not specific?

A: Materials certified for use in a food zone are also acceptable in a splash zone. Materials certified for splash zone applications should not be used in situations where contact with consumable food is anticipated.

Q: What does the phrase “food equipment standards” mean? Does Food Zone only apply to commercial kitchens or does it also apply to home kitchens?

A: NSF/ANSI Standards are consensus documents that provide the basic criteria to promote sanitation and protection of public health. The food equipment standards are focused on establishing the minimum food protection and sanitation requirements for the materials, design, construction, and performance of food preparation and handling equipment. 

The food zone would apply to any food equipment item being evaluated to the NSF/ANSI Food Equipment Standards. Commercial food establishments are inspected by health departments that typically require compliance to the NSF/ANSI Food Equipment Standards. Home kitchens are not regulated.

Q: If a Splash Zone product is not subjected by NSF to toxicological safety testing, how can fabricators be sure that it is safe to use in the home? Is there risk to exposing their workers to this material?

A: Splash zone materials are evaluated for smoothness, resistance to corrosion, and ability to be manually cleaned. Food zone materials are also evaluated for toxicological safety as a food contact surface. If consumable food contact is anticipated, food zone materials should be used. The scope of the NSF Food Equipment Standards does not include requirements for occupational safety hazards.

Q: Other than the NSF website is there any other way to determine if a particular brand of Quartz material is safe for use as a countertop?

A: The NSF Website is the only official source of determining what products are currently certified and any applicable zones of end use that the certification may cover.

Q: Many of the advertising claims for Quartz material that are Splash Zone listed seem to indicate that it is safe for use as countertop material.  What can the NSF do to eliminate confusion?

A: Countertops intended to be used as a food preparation surface are considered a food zone.

For a listing of NSF tested products visit http://info.nsf.org/Certified/Food