The certification involved meeting rigorous requirements that exceed current industry norms.

NSF, a leading global public health and safety organization, today announced that it has awarded the first vegan certification under its new NSF P543: Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products certification program (NSF P543). Launched in August 2025, the program recognizes products that meet strict criteria for vegan ingredients, processing and ethical manufacturing practices.

Coinciding with World Vegan Month, which is observed in the month of November, Michele’s Granola has become the first brand certified to NSF P543 for its main line of granola and muesli products distributed nationwide. Customers will soon see the NSF Vegan mark on Michele’s Granola’s certified products.

“As a brand that has always been committed to sustainability and vegan ingredients, we’re proud to become the first manufacturer certified to NSF Vegan,” said Brittany Spraker, Food Safety Manager, Michele’s Granola. “This milestone not only reinforces our commitment to ethical production but also demonstrates that rigorous vegan protocols such as NSF P543 are achievable.”

The process for certification to NSF P543 for vegan products includes meeting specific requirements that vegan ingredients, processing aids and food contact packaging material not be derived from animals nor contain animal ingredients at any amount. Additionally, the finished product is not permitted to be tested on animals. The protocol requires supply chain verification and ongoing compliance monitoring with thorough technical reviews.

“It’s exciting to see a growing interest from the natural products industry in NSF’s new vegan mark and protocol,” said Carey Allen, Director of Food Claims at NSF. “NSF proudly welcomes Michele’s Granola as the first product to attain NSF Vegan certification. It’s our hope that this will pave the way for other products in the future, helping consumers to make educated choices while contributing to a more transparent supply chain.”

The certification provides greater assurance and consumer trust in product claims. The protocol addresses common industry challenges, including supply chain complexity, ingredient substitution efficacy and clear communication of product attributes.

NSF Vegan certification is just one of several ways that Michele’s Granola incorporates sustainability. The company composted nearly 14 tons of organic material and recycled 17 tons of waste in 2024. Products are baked with more than 2 million pounds of organic ingredients, with 65% of the cardboard coming into the bakery upcycled into packaging material for shipments to consumers.

On November 12, Brittany Spraker, Food Safety Manager, Michele’s Granola will join Jennifer Berkebile, Technical Scheme Lead, NSF for a free educational webinar for brands interested in P543.

Learn more about NSF’s Vegan and Cruelty-Free certification program.

About NSF

NSF is an independent, global services organization dedicated to improving human and planet health for more than 80 years by developing public health standards and providing world-class testing, inspection, certification, advisory services and digital solutions to the food, nutrition, water, life sciences and consumer goods industries. NSF has 40,000 clients across all continents and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Medical Device Safety.

About Michele’s Granola

Since Michele founded the company in 2006, Michele’s Granola has been making granola by hand from scratch, with natural and organic GMO-free ingredients. The company produces more than 60,000 pounds of granola and muesli weekly, distributed to more than 6,500 retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Sprouts, Kroger and Albertsons. Michele’s donates 1% of all sales to nonprofits with a food-focused mission.

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“This milestone not only reinforces our commitment to ethical production but also demonstrates that rigorous vegan protocols such as NSF P543 are achievable,” said Brittany Spraker, Food Safety Manager, Michele’s Granola.