Standards Bring Home the Bacon for Breakfast

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day - and the most delicious! Traditional American breakfast favorites like waffles and bacon are perfect for an occasional indulgence, while egg white omelets and oatmeal serve as healthy everyday choices. Thanks to standards, breakfast choices are easy and safe to prepare in your home kitchen.

One simple tool that makes it easier to cook a warm breakfast is a countertop griddle. These electrical appliances provide a large, flat surface to cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon. With evenly distributed heat and a non-stick top, even novice chefs will have success making golden pancakes and eggs over easy. ASTM F1275-14, Standard Test Method for Performance of Griddles, evaluates the energy consumption and cooking performance of griddles, making it easier for shoppers to select the best griddle for purchase. The standard was developed by ASTM International, a member and audited designator of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Diners with a sweet tooth may wish to start their day with a waffle adorned with toppings from fruit to chocolate chips. To make these indulgent breakfast treats, a waffle iron is a must. IEC 60335-2-9 Ed. 6.2 b:2016, Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-9: Particular requirements for grills, toasters and similar portable cooking appliances, provides safety guidelines for waffle irons, as well as other electric portable appliances including bread makers, food dehydrators, popcorn makers, and hotplates. For those who seek a more understated breakfast, toasters are also covered by this standard. The document was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)'s Technical Committee (TC) 61, Safety of household and similar electrical appliances. The U.S. holds the secretariat for this TC, with UL designated by ANSI as administrative secretariat and Randi Myers of UL as secretary. UL, an ANSI member and audited designator, is also the ANSI-approved U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) administrator for TC 61.

A little fresh-squeezed juice can bring any breakfast to the next level. CSA C22.2 No. 1335.2.14-1993 (R2013), Portable Electrical Motor-Operated and Heating Appliances: Particular Requirements for Electrical Motor-Operated Kitchen Appliances, provides guidelines for numerous kitchen appliances that can be used for juicing, including blenders, citrus fruit juice squeezers, and centrifugal juicers. It was developed by ANSI member and accredited standards developer CSA Group.

With standards in place to support safety and success in the kitchen, breakfast is served!