With their newly acquired NSF sanitation certification, Forest Lighting’s LED products can now provide long-term energy savings to the food processing industry! Forest Lighting, the USA branch of worldwide LED manufacturer MLS distributed by Access Fixtures, has officially received certification for their T8 LED tube lamps by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). The certification falls under the requirements of “NSF/ANSI Standard 2: Food Equipment.” Forest Lighting’s T8 LED tube lamps from Access Fixtures can now be used in the food processing industry, specifically in automated food processing facilities, kitchens, and serving areas.
Sanitation Certification: What Does It Mean?
The NSF sanitation certification requires that all materials that could come into contact with food materials must be in line with FDA standards. There are three categories of certification for equipment intended for use in the food industry: Non-Food Zone, Splash Zone, and Food Zone. How a piece of equipment is certified is determined by two factors: its proximity to food products and whether or not it will be affected by food sanitation processes. If the latter is an issue, lighting fixtures must be able to withstand high-pressure washing and cannot pose any risk of chipping or dripping into food materials.
Clean Lighting for the Food Industry
Few industries have more stringent requirements than the food industry. To meet regulations and achieve the necessary light levels, food processing facility managers have been paying top dollar for traditional, high-powered luminaires rated for wet locations. The quality of light is just as important as the safety of the fixture. A light source’s ability to accurately represent the color of an object is referred to as its color rendering index (CRI). In the food industry, color can help workers determine the quality of products, minimize the risk of contamination, and enhance cleanliness.
Shop T8 LED BulbsBenefits of Upgrading to T8 LED Lighting
Now, however, there is an efficient option that can reduce energy costs and provide a range of color temperatures. Forest Lighting’s 12w and 19w T8 LED tube lamps are available at Access Fixtures in two-foot and four-foot models. They have a range of Kelvin temperatures to best meet the needs of any food processing facility, kitchen, or serving area. They have an impressive efficacy of 100 lumens per watt and are rated for a long lifespan of 50,000 hours.
T8 and T12 Linear Fluorescent Can Be Upgraded to T8 LED Lighting
Food preparation locations currently using T8 or T12 linear fluorescent lighting can now easily upgrade to T8 LED lighting, too. Existing luminaires can be retrofitted to use T8 LEDs reducing energy and maintenance. To read an installation guide on how to convert T8 or T12 linear fluorescent luminaires to use T8 LED lamps, click here. Stay tuned for a later post on the pros and cons of making this conversion. To speak with a lighting specialist at Access Fixtures, call (800) 468-9925.