ANN ARBOR, MI � NSF International today announced that Plum Market Corporation, Inc. has received NSF Shop Fresh� certification.

Plum Market Corporation, specializing in natural, organic, local and specialty products, has exceeded standard Food Code requirements to improve the quality of its perishable products. Obtaining NSF Shop Fresh� certification demonstrates Plum Market�s overall dedication to food safety and its customers.

This voluntary program is designed for proactive retail food establishments that strive to continually reduce and prevent food-related risks, while improving the quality, freshness and shelf life of foods.

As Plum Market�s Produce Director, Phil Cassise explains, �NSF Shop Fresh certification provides additional safeguards to ensure food safety at Plum Market. It allows our customers to feel confident about their food purchases knowing we are NSF Shop Fresh certified.�

NSF Shop Fresh� Certification includes unannounced audits, which evaluate food safety and sanitation conditions, as well as microbial testing. The microbial monitoring samples include food and food preparation surfaces for bacteria and other microorganisms. FastCheck�, the third component of the program, provides an immediate response to customer food-related illness complaints and includes testing of suspect products.

To become certified, all Plum Market stores in Michigan, which includes Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Township, were audited and tested to demonstrate compliance with the above requirements. Plum Market also has a certified professional food manager on every shift where food is prepared or served. New stores, which are in the process of becoming certified, will soon be opening in Royal Oak and West Bloomfield, Michigan.

For earning NSF Certification, Plum Market can display the NSF-Shop Fresh� mark in advertising, circulars, storefront displays, as well as designated locations throughout the store.

�Plum Market�s recent certification underscores their commitment to food safety,� said Tom Chestnut, Vice President, NSF Food Safety and Quality. �The NSF Mark exemplifies Plum Market�s initiative to providing the freshest, safest, highest quality food possible. Ongoing monitoring and testing ensures continued compliance with all Shop Fresh� requirements.�

Additional information on the Shop Fresh� program can be found on NSF�s website or by contacting Mike Kelty at 734-827-3807 or kelty@nsf.org.

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.

CONTACT: Greta Houlahan Phone: 734-913-5723 Email: houlahan@nsf.org