At times, it might seem like the foodservice industry is a bit like alphabet soup. From FDA to 86 to TLDR to the USDA, there are all kinds of words and phrases thrown around that can be a bit overwhelming to keep track of.
A common source of confusion when it comes to training and its requirements is the difference between ANAB and ANSI–and how they relate to the food industry.
In this post, we'll explain the differences between the two and how they impact the food industry, so you can confidently get back to business! Here's what we'll cover:
Why do these organizations matter to the food industry?
What is the difference between ANAB and ANSI?
ANAB Accreditation vs. ANSI Accreditation
Is ANSI the same as ANAB?
ANSI and ANAB are not the same organization, although they are often confused. Truth be told, the two are closely related: ANAB is a nonprofit subsidiary of ANSI. While the two go hand in hand, there are a few key differences to be aware of.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) acts as a neutral third party that helps establish industry standards throughout the United States. These standards promote consistency, quality, and reliability across businesses and organizations.1
When a training provider or certification program is ANSI-accredited, it means the program has been evaluated against ANSI's requirements and found to meet those standards.
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
ANAB, or the ANSI National Accreditation Board, is the largest accreditation body in North America. It evaluates organizations, certification programs, and training providers against nationally and internationally recognized standards to help ensure quality, consistency, and credibility.
To earn ANAB accreditation, an organization must demonstrate that it meets established requirements for areas such as quality management, safety, and operational processes.
Accreditation isn't a one-time achievement. Organizations must maintain documented policies, procedures, and ongoing oversight to continue meeting ANAB's standards.
The relationship between ANSI and ANAB
Both organizations rely on each other heavily and have integrated purposes. The goal of both is to facilitate communication among organizations that develop standards. However, ANAB, as a subsidiary of ANSI, is the body that’s responsible for actually doing all the accreditation.
One common misconception is that the terms are interchangeable. They are not.
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Organizations can be ANAB-accredited.
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Standards can be ANSI-approved or ANSI-recognized.
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"ANSI-accredited" is generally not the correct term when referring to an organization's accreditation status.
In simple terms, ANSI focuses on standards, while ANAB focuses on accreditation.
Together, they help ensure consistency, quality, and safety across industries in the United States and around the world. Many businesses pursue ANSI-recognized certifications and ANAB accreditation to demonstrate compliance, credibility, and a commitment to meeting established industry standards.
Why do these organizations matter to the food industry?
Food safety depends on consistency. Whether food is being produced, processed, transported, or served, everyone involved needs to follow the same standards and best practices to help protect public health.
That's where ANSI and ANAB come in.
ANSI helps establish and coordinate standards that create consistency across industries, while ANAB evaluates organizations and certification programs to ensure those standards are being met. Together, they help create a framework that promotes quality, safety, and accountability throughout the food industry.
For food industry professionals, choosing accredited training means learning from programs that have been independently evaluated against recognized standards. These programs provide current information, established best practices, and training that aligns with industry expectations.
Accredited training can help professionals:
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Better understand food safety regulations and requirements
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Learn industry-recognized best practices
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Build confidence in handling food safely
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Demonstrate professional knowledge and competency
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Support compliance efforts within their organization
For food businesses, investing in accredited training sends a clear message to customers, employees, regulators, and other stakeholders that food safety is a priority.
Accreditation also helps create consistency across the industry. Without common standards, organizations may follow different procedures and expectations, making it more difficult to maintain reliable food safety systems. By providing independent evaluation and oversight, ANAB helps establish trust that certification programs meet recognized requirements and are delivering quality training.
What is the difference between ANAB and ANSI?
Still confused? Let's break things down a bit more.
The biggest difference: purpose
The biggest difference between ANAB and ANSI is their purpose.
While both organizations provide accreditation services, ANSI focuses more on providing standards, while ANAB provides more specialized accreditations, such as food safety auditing or laboratory accreditation. ANSI sets the standards, while ANAB focuses on the accreditation process itself.
ANAB offers professional accreditation services, a customer-focused process, and training.
ANAB is an accreditation body recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) with offices in both the United States and Canada. Again, it is a subsidiary of ANSI.
It is responsible for accrediting:
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Calibration/testing laboratories
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Proficiency test providers
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Forensic test/calibration service providers
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Inspection bodies
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Producers of reference materials
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Certification bodies for management systems
…and others.
In addition to offering professional accreditation services and a customer-focused accreditation process, ANAB also provides training seminars on topics such as auditing techniques and risk assessment.
ANSI is responsible for the creation of standards
ANSI serves as a forum for coordinating voluntary standards development activities throughout the world, while ANAB is primarily focused on accreditations. ANSI acts as an umbrella organization for standards development around the world, within which ANAB falls.
These organizations for standards development include:
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Government agencies such as ASTM International or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
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Private corporations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
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Industry associations such as The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
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Trade associations such as The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
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Public health groups such as The World Health Organization (WHO)
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Educational institutions like Harvard University
…and so on.
The standards developed by these organizations are then reviewed by an independent panel of experts before being approved by ANSI for adoption into US law or practice.
ANAB Accreditation vs. ANSI Accreditation
The distinction between ANSI and ANAB is not just a technical one, since it also affects how organizations describe their accreditation and certifications.
In recent years, organizations holding or pursuing accreditation have been directed to reference ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation rather than ANSI accreditation when discussing their accredited status. This change helps ensure that accreditation claims accurately reflect the organization responsible for granting accreditation.
Put simply:
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ANSI develops and oversees standards.
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ANAB accredits organizations and certification programs against those standards.
Using the correct terminology helps avoid confusion and ensures transparency about what an accreditation or certification represents.
For individuals, ANSI-recognized certifications can demonstrate professional knowledge and competency. These certifications may help:
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Verify that training and assessment requirements have been met
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Demonstrate specialized skills or expertise
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Support career advancement opportunities
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Provide employers with confidence in an individual's qualifications
For organizations, ANAB accreditation demonstrates that a certification program or training provider has been evaluated against recognized requirements and operates according to established standards.2
While ANSI and ANAB serve different functions, they work together to support quality, consistency, and credibility across industries, including food safety.
Once you understand the distinction, your business can make informed decisions when selecting training programs, certifications, and accreditation partners.
Accreditation matters more than you think
Food safety depends on trust. Trust that employees have been properly trained, trust that procedures are being followed, trust that the food served to customers is safe.
That's where ANSI and ANAB come in. While ANSI helps establish the standards that guide the industry, ANAB helps ensure training programs and certification bodies meet those standards. Together, they create a framework that supports consistency, credibility, and confidence across the food industry.
When you choose accredited training, you're investing in more than a certificate. You're also investing in safer operations, better-prepared employees, and stronger protection for your customers.
Ready to strengthen your food safety program? Trust20's ANAB-accredited training courses provide practical, industry-recognized education for food handlers, managers, and foodservice teams.
Explore Trust20's training products today and give your staff the knowledge they need to keep food safe and customers protected.
FAQ
What is the difference between ANSI and ANAB?
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) develops, coordinates, and promotes standards used across industries in the United States. ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) accredits organizations, certification bodies, and training programs against recognized standards. In simple terms, ANSI focuses on standards, while ANAB focuses on accreditation.
Is ANAB part of ANSI?
Yes. ANAB is a wholly owned subsidiary of ANSI. Although they work closely together, they serve different functions. ANSI oversees standards development, while ANAB performs accreditation activities.
What does ANAB accreditation mean?
ANAB accreditation indicates that an organization, certification body, or training provider has been independently evaluated and found to meet recognized requirements. Accreditation helps demonstrate quality, consistency, and compliance with established standards.
Why is ANAB accreditation important in the food industry?
ANAB accreditation helps make sure that food safety training and certification programs meet recognized quality standards. For food businesses, choosing accredited training can increase confidence that employees are receiving accurate, current, and reliable food safety education.
How can I tell if a food safety training program is accredited?
Most accredited training providers will clearly identify their accreditation status on their website, course materials, or certificates. If you're unsure, look for information about ANAB accreditation or ask the training provider directly.
Why should foodservice employees choose accredited training?
Accredited training helps employees learn industry-recognized food safety practices, understand regulatory requirements, and build the knowledge needed to safely handle food. It also gives employers greater confidence in the quality and consistency of the training received.
Sources:
- ANSI: Home Page
- ANAB: Personal Credentialing
