How Food Safety is Checked by NSF

November 7, 2022

Discover what the Checked by NSF food safety verification mark means when you eat out at hotels and restaurants, order food online or on the go.

When you see the Checked by NSF mark, it means our independent food safety auditors have verified on the date specified, that food hygiene and safety policies are in place at the location displaying the Checked by NSF mark.

Our auditors inspect:

Handling of food
How food is stored
How food is prepared
Cleanliness of facilities
How food safety is managed

Checked by NSF offers you greater confidence in food safety and hygiene standards when you eat out at hotels and restaurants, order food online or on the go.

The Checked by NSF verification mark means that on a specific date:

The business’ food operations were verified by our independent food safety auditors
The business demonstrated its commitment to food safety and hygiene with clear policies that mee the Checked by NSF requirements
The business has implemented these policies as required

Our auditors verify how food is handled, stored, and prepared, as well as the cleanliness of the location’s facilities. They also verify how food safety is managed.

Here’s How They Do It

Phase One – Policy Review

Our auditors work with the restaurant owner, franchisee, or management group to verify that there is a management system in place in each of their sites. The programme is based on these regulations*:

Europe: Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs

Plus, for the UK: Food Hygiene Rating (FSA)

Americas and Asia-Pacific: U.S. FDA Food Code 2017

This review covers the purchase, storage, preparation, and service/packaging of the food you enjoy. It does not include the delivery of your food, including delivery contracted to a third party.

Phase Two – On-Site Visit

Next, our auditors visit the location in person or remotely to verify that everything in the policies has been implemented and is currently being used in practice on the date of the audit. Only if food safety requirements achieve an 80% score or more, based on the applicable food code regulations, will a site be issued the Checked by NSF Food safety verification mark.

Phase Three – Routine Follow-Up

We return at least once per year to audit continued compliance with the Checked by NSF food safety and hygiene checklist at the verified business.

In summary, the verification mark indicates that on a specific date, the business has demonstrated its commitment to food safety and hygiene through policies and practices aligned with international regulations. However, business needs, verification tools and other requirements vary depending on location and the type of food service establishment, meaning that the kinds of items reviewed by NSF may also go beyond the food safety requirements to include client specifics. Only the location displaying the Checked by NSF verification mark has been verified.

*The programme is not a replication of legal or regulatory requirements, nor does verification represent legal or regulatory compliance.