Skip to main content
NSF Home

Health and Safety Science

Independent chemical safety and toxicology risk assessment for food, beverage, water, medical device, consumer products and dietary supplement manufacturers.

Food, beverage, water, medical device, consumer products, and dietary supplement companies face increasing pressure to validate product safety, demonstrate compliance, and proactively manage emerging chemical and contaminant risks. NSF Health and Safety Science (HSS) is an independent scientific authority providing toxicology, health risk assessment, and regulatory support to help brands bring safer, compliant, and trusted products to market.

We deliver science‑based evaluations, regulatory pathways, and safety assessments that help manufacturers make confident decisions.

Why manufacturers choose NSF

Trusted global expertise

As a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Water and Food Safety, NSF HSS applies globally recognized scientific standards to safeguard human health. We also actively engage with professional organizations and academia on advances and challenges in toxicological methods and the application of cutting-edge technologies.

Independent, science‑driven assessments

Our credentialed toxicologists and risk assessors perform rigorous reviews, supported by external expert validation, to ensure alignment with global best practices.

Our core services

Chemical and contaminant toxicology risk assessment

Evaluate potential hazards, assess exposure, and establish safe use levels for:

  • Water treatment chemicals distribution materials.
  • Food ingredients and additives.
  • Dietary supplement ingredients.
  • Processing‑related contaminants.
  • Packaging and food contact materials.
  • Cookware and containers.
  • Personal care and other consumer products.
  • Environmental or agricultural contaminants.

Ingredient safety and regulatory submissions

We prepare and support regulatory filings essential for market access, including:

  • Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) dossiers.
  • New Dietary Ingredient Notifications (NDINs).
  • Food Contact Notifications (FCNs).
  • Proposition 65 assessments.

Expert consultation in toxicology and public health

Provide expert opinions and consultation on risk assessment and related practices to inform global public health initiatives.

  • Coordination with national and international regulatory agencies.
  • Lead international consortium of third-party certifying bodies to ensure consistent application of compliance to public health-protective standards.

Chemical hazard assessments for safer chemistry initiatives

NSF Health and Safety Science (HSS) performs hazard assessments that support safer product design and sustainability programs (e.g., ChemFORWARD).

Food contaminant intelligence

Our “chemical Contaminants Risk Intelligence Tool” (cCRIT™) quickly identifies emerging ingredient or contaminant risks by aggregating global regulations, surveillance data, and scientific literature to support risk assessments.

Toxicological assessment of extractables

NSF provides toxicology and health risk assessment expertise relevant to the assessment of potential contaminants in drug packaging and pharmaceutical impurities.

How we work with you

  • 1

    Define safety or regulatory question: We begin with a targeted scoping discussion to understand your formulation, ingredient changes or regulatory objectives.

  • 2

    Conduct toxicology and exposure assessment: Our scientists evaluate hazard data, exposure scenarios, and global regulatory guidance.

  • 3

    Deliver actionable, science‑based conclusions: You receive a documented risk assessment with clear safety conclusions and recommended next steps.

  • 4

    Support your regulatory workflow: Including GRAS, NDIN, FCN or Proposition 65 submissions as needed.

Ready to advance the safety of your ingredients and products?

Our team helps you navigate complex chemical safety questions with clarity and scientific rigor. Whether you’re preparing a regulatory submission, assessing a new ingredient, or managing contaminant risks, NSF Health and Safety Science (HSS) provides the independent expertise you need.

Ready to get started?

Contact NSF Health and Safety Science to start your project or request a consultation.