SQF Food Safety and Quality Codes
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a globally respected certification system recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the international benchmark for food safety management systems. SQF’s food safety and quality codes are developed to meet the diverse needs of suppliers across the entire food supply chain, including manufacturers, processors, distributors, and retailers.
SQF codes are customized to specific industries and cover every phase of the food supply chain. These tailored codes address unique requirements and challenges across different sectors, helping ensure that food safety and quality standards are consistently applied during production, processing, and distribution.
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Supply Chain Scope
The SQF codes are specifically crafted to meet the needs of various links in the food supply chain. This broad and flexible structure enables the certification of operations in food production, processing, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and food service, supporting comprehensive food safety coverage.
Sector Focused
Globally recognized and widely accepted, the SQF Codes ensure compliance with international food safety standards. Each code is designed to reflect sector-specific Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), aligning certification with the operational realities of its industry.
Industry Approved
As one of the world’s leading food safety and quality management systems, SQF certification provides critical assurance to retailers, food service providers, and other stakeholders. It confirms that the organization has strong systems in place for managing both food safety and quality assurance.
What’s in the Codes?
More than a Global Food Safety Standard.
SQF certification encompasses more than basic food safety—it also highlights a commitment to quality management. Companies achieving SQF certification not only demonstrate compliance with food safety standards but also showcase a dedication to maintaining excellence in product quality across all operations.
The SQF Food Safety Code is benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and provides a comprehensive framework for organizations in the food industry to meet the food safety requirements set by their retailers and buyers. By implementing the SQF Food Safety Code, companies can demonstrate their commitment to producing safe food products that meet regulatory standards.
The features of the SQF Code is its comprehensive scope, which covers the entire food supply chain from farm to table.
The SQF Food Safety Codes provide sites with management system requirements, a HACCP based program and sector-specific Good Manufacturing Practices.
- SQF Food Safety Code for Primary Production (Plant, Animal, Aquaculture)
- SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing (Food, Pet Food, Animal, Dietary Supplement)
- SQF Food Safety Code for Storage and Distribution
- SQF Food Safety Code for Food Packaging
- SQF Food Safety Code for Retail
The SQF Quality Code is specifically designed to address product quality-related threats and provide a framework for their identification, control, and monitoring. It is particularly suitable for sites that aim to go beyond food safety performance and prioritize product quality management.
SQF Guidance, Tip Sheets and Checklists – SQFI SQFI (Safe Quality Food Institute) provides guidance documents as part of their RIO (Records, Interviews, and Observations) Road to Audits initiative. These guidance documents include a table that outlines the specific records, interviews, and observations that can assist in preparing, implementing, and reviewing the SQF Code topics.
SQF Edition 9 – What Are the Changes?
SQFI 9.0 Codes are now available and audited to as of May 24, 2021
Learn more about the changes and review the Transition Information FAQ.
Download NowSQF Courses & Training
Explore the range of SQF courses we have on offer through QCI Global Assurance Learning.
Related Services
In addition to the services mentioned earlier, there are several related services that can further support improving business excellence maturity and sustainable business practices. These services include:
