The primary job of walk-in coolers and freezers in the grocery and foodservice industries is to keep perishable food products stored at temperatures that ensure their quality. But walk-ins also have another very important job. That is to keep the perishable food products safe for human consumption. The NSF, formally known as the National Sanitation Foundation is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) agency responsible for establishing standards and certification of walk-in coolers and freezers to ensure the safety of food.
Who Is NSF?
NSF was founded in 1944 to establish and standardize sanitation and food safety in the United States which up to then had no national standards. Since its founding, NSF has become a global public health and safety organization.
NSF has facilitated the development of more than 75 standards and protocols for sanitary food equipment and has certified thousands of products against those standards to use in restaurants, commercial kitchens, and other refrigerated food-holding applications.
Why Does NSF Regulate The Construction Of Walk-ins?
NSF’s purpose is to ensure the construction of walk-in coolers and freezers is done in a manner that protects food safety and the health of consumers. The NSF guidelines set are important for three key reasons. First, to avoid contaminating foods in the refrigerated spaces where they are stored. Second, to ensure foods are held at the right refrigerated temperature. Third, to ensure the food storage areas are constructed with materials that are appropriate for the use environment and are free from materials and construction methods that risk contaminating food from harmful microbiological organisms that would endanger the health of those who would handle and consume that food.
NSF Standards Affecting Global Walk-In Coolers And Freezers
There are four NSF standards that affect the construction of walk-in coolers and freezers. They are NSF 2, NSF 7, NSF 51 and NSF 52.
NSF 2: Food Handling Equipment
The NSF/ANSI 2 standard establishes the minimum food protection and sanitation requirements for the materials, design, fabrication, construction, and performance of food handling and processing equipment (such as bakery, cafeteria, kitchen, and pantry units) and other food handling and processing equipment (such as tables and components, counters, hoods, shelves, and sinks).
NSF 7: Commercial Refrigerators And Freezers
NSF/ANSI 7 establishes minimum food protection and sanitation requirements for the materials, design, manufacturing, construction, and performance of commercial refrigerators and freezers and their related components. This includes storage refrigerators and freezers (walk-ins, reach-in, under counter, roll-in); rapid pull-down refrigerators and freezers; refrigerated food transport cabinets, buffet units, and food preparation units; display refrigerators; beverage coolers; and ice cream cabinets.
NSF 51: Food Equipment Materials
NSF 51 sets minimum public health and sanitation requirements for materials used in the construction of commercial food equipment.
NSF 52: Supplemental Flooring
NSF/ANSI 52 establishes minimum public health and sanitation requirements for supplemental flooring for use in food preparation, dry storage, and washing areas.
Key Areas Of The NSF Standards Affecting Walk-In Coolers And Freezers
There are three key areas of the NSF standards for walk-in cooler and freezer construction:
- To ensure cleanability of the walk-in surfaces
- The cleanability of wall corners, panel connections, and fasteners
- The cleanability of doors, their hardware, and gaskets
- The cleanability of floors
- Serviceability and cleanability of refrigeration components
- The cleanability of shelves, windowsill, worktables, and floor drains
- To ensure walk-ins are free from construction methods that risk contaminating food from harmful microbiological organisms
- To ensure walk-in coolers and freezers are constructed with materials that are appropriate for the environment where they are used
Summary
The construction of walk-in coolers and freezers for food storage applications is governed by NSF. Their standards are designed to keep the food stored in walk-in coolers and freezers safe from harmful contamination that could impact human health coming from the walk-in system itself.
Walk-in manufacturers must meet NSF requirements and standards to receive NSF certification for their walk-in systems. Working with an NSF-certified walk-in cooler/freezer manufacturer ensures those purchasing walk-ins along with their customers have the highest degree of food safety from their walk-ins.
Contact KPS Global
KPS Global is an NSF Certified walk-in cooler and freezer manufacturer. To learn more about our certifications visit our certifications page. To learn more about KPS Global walk-in coolers and freezers, contact us today.
