The organization that sets foodservice equipment standards is the

• A. NSF
• B. FDA
• C. USDA
• D. CDC

Answer: (A)

Equipment used in commercial kitchens must meet standards for sanitation and cleanability. NSF International is the organization that develops these foodservice equipment standards, tests products, and certifies them so they can bear the NSF mark when they meet the requirements. FDA, USDA, and CDC have important public health roles, but they don’t set the overarching equipment standards: FDA regulates safety of foods and materials used for food contact, USDA covers meat, poultry, and agricultural safety, and CDC focuses on disease surveillance and health guidelines. This is why NSF is the correct choice.