Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification

GFSI-Benchmarked Food Safety Management

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Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification

Deliver Excellence in Food Safety and Quality

The Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification program, built on time-tested HACCP principles, is a rigorous food safety and quality certification program recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers world-wide. Whether you are a primary producer, manufacturer, processor, or retailer, you are eligible to participate in this world-class, GFSI level certification. In addition to SQF Food Safety certification, you can also pursue SQF Fundamentals, a non-GSFI level program for small and medium size food suppliers, and the SQF Quality Program for sites that go above and beyond SQF Food Safety by meeting the additional quality management system requirements of the Quality Code. Participation in these programs gives you a leg up in meeting industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain.

SCS Auditing Expertise

Companies of all sizes, from small and medium-sized operators to international companies, have selected SCS as their certifier of choice. SCS Global Services has been providing expert certification services for four decades, and was an early pioneer in the delivery of “hazard analysis critical control point” (HACCP) food safety management system auditing and tools to producers, processors, and retailers. We emphasize customer service and diligence to deliver top-tier services that support of your internal food safety management objectives while simultaneously meeting the needs of your customers.

SCS provides:

Competitive pricing
Dedicated and responsive service team assigned to your account
Highly credentialed professional auditors
Regional auditor availability for most categories
Expedited scheduling
Email and phone replies within 24 hours

Additionally, SCS also offers a wide range of food industry certifications that can help you earn recognition in multiple categories from safety to sustainability. We can bundle your SQF audit with these services, such as Non-GMO Project, USDA Organic, Gluten-Free, SMETA, RSPO, or MSC, and training, for maximum cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Eligibility

SQF is designed for use by all sectors of the food industry, from primary production, manufacturing, and processing to transport, storage, distribution and retailing. The current standard, found at www.sqfi.com, applies to all industry sectors. The scope of SQF certification is site- and product-specific.

Certification Levels

Identify the appropriate level of SQF certification for your needs.

Food Safety Fundamentals: Entry level for new and developing businesses covering only GAP/GMP/GDP requirements and basic food safety elements.
Food Safety Code (GFSI-benchmarked): Recognizes suppliers that have implemented a HACCP food safety plan in addition to meeting fundamental requirements.
Quality Code (GFSI-benchmarked): Recognizes suppliers that have implemented a HACCP-based food quality plan in addition to food safety code system elements.

Food Safety Code System Elements

Compliance with the following mandatory Food Safety Code system elements is required for GFSI-level certification:

management commitment
document control and records
specification and product development
food safety fundamentals and plans
SQF system verification
product identification
trace, withdrawal and recall
food defense
identity-preserved foods
training

SQF Fundamentals Code

This program was developed to streamline the process for emerging food companies to embrace and demonstrate conformance to the fundamentals of food safety, with special features tailored to support:

Entrepreneurs
Early-stage small and medium-sized product manufacturers
Basic conformance to wholesaler and retailer specifications

The standard offers two levels - Basic and Intermediate.

Add-On Food Quality Certification

Sites with an established food safety management plan can extend their certification to confirm that there are robust controls to monitor the quality of products through the entire production process, from raw material to finished product. This certification serves as further reinforcement of product and brand reputation.

Pre-Assessment

Pre-assessment is a preliminary, non-scored mock audit that helps you assess your preparedness for a formal certification audit. You may also wish to combine a pre-assessment audit with your audit.

Application

Complete an SCS Application form. Based on the details you provide, SCS will prepare a suggested scope of work, timeline, and quote. To start the certification process, sign and return the Work Order, then register and select SCS with SQF in its online assessment database.
Audit Scheduled

The assigned SCS auditor will propose audit dates. Once confirmed, you will receive an audit plan to help make sure that your team is prepared.
On-Site Audit

The audit is conducted on-site. Its aim is to ensure that your operation meets the requirements of the SQF Standard. The auditor meets with your team at the outset of the audit, and again after the audit is completed, at which time your audit results will be reviewed, including any non-conformities.
Complete Corrective Actions

Any non-conformities identified during the audit must be resolved, with evidence of correction action, within 30 days. Each non-conformity is closed out by the auditor as warranted. At the completion of this process, the auditor completes and submits the audit report.
Technical Review and Certification Decision

A final technical review of the audit report is conducted by SCS, along with documentation of corrective actions taken. Based on this information, SCS makes the final certification decision.
Receive Certificate

Upon successful certification is granted, you receive the certificate and final report, and SCS sends a copy to SQFI. With this documentation in hand, SQF lists your company in the SQFI Directory.

SCS offers additional Client Marketing Support services to companies that achieve certification.

SCS is an SQF Training Center, offering a full line-up of food safety training solutions in a variety of formats, including live and online self-paced trainings delivered by experienced industry professionals. Private onsite trainings and webinars can be customized for your company, saving time and expense.

Do you meet the SQF Practitioner requirements?

Are you a full-time employee?
Have you completed one of these 16-hour examinable HACCP course?
- HACCP: View Course
- Earn a HACCP certificate while fulfilling FSMA requirements: View Course
Do you understand the SQF Code and are you able to implement and maintain the SQF System.

If the answer to these three questions is yes, then it’s time to register for the “Implementing SQF Systems” course. View Course

Once you fulfill the above requirements, you are qualified to be a Practitioner. However, note that an individual must be officially appointed to the role Practitioner by their company to serve in this capacity.

Learn more about SQF training courses. Onsite training is available for all courses – contact your SCS Representative or Training.

Horario de cursos ofrecidos en México - HACCP, SQF, GLOBALG.A.P.

Horario de cursos ofrecidos en los Estados Unidos.

What is SQF?

SQF stands for Safe Qualify Food, and is administered by the Safe Qualify Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association. It is an internationally recognized certification standard promoting food safety and food quality management practices. SQF improves process management by helping companies proactively identify and manage risk in order to avoid recalls, market withdrawals, and rework.

What is GFSI?

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a global business collaborative initiative aimed at promoting the highest standards of food safety in the food industry. More details can be found here.

How does SQF differ from other food safety certification programs?

Not only is SQF a GFSI-recognized standard, but it is the only such standard that incorporates a quality certification component. SQF is also the only GFSI-benchmarked program headquartered outside of Europe.

How much does SQF certification cost?

The costs associated with becoming SQF certified include registration with the SQF database, the certification audit, and SQF Practitioner training (optional). Fees vary somewhat depending on the extent of your operations. Contact us to discuss pricing details.

How far in advance should I schedule my audit?

Due to growing demand for SQF certification, please schedule an audit at least 2-3 months in advance.

What is a food sector category (FSC)?

A food sector category (FSC) is a food industry classification established by SQF. Determine your company's classification by viewing the listing of SQF Code Selector.

Where can I find the self-assessment checklist?

The SQF self-assessment checklist is available on the SQF website - SQF Library of Codes.

What is a SQF practitioner and how can I become one?

An SQF practitioner is an individual designated by a food company to develop, validate, verify, implement and maintain its SQF System. During the audit, SCS verifies that the SQF practitioner:

Is employed full time by the company and has responsibility for managing the SQF System
Has completed a HACCP training course, and has experience and competency in implementing and maintaining HACCP-based food safety plans
Understands the SQF Code and the requirements to implement and maintain SQF systems relevant to the Scope of Certification.

How often are audits conducted?

Audits are required every 6-12 months to maintain certification. Audit frequency is determined based on the audit score rating.

How long does an audit take?

The length of the audit depends on the nature and size of the organization and the level of certification requested, and can range from 1 day to 3 days for complex operations.

Once certified, can I use the SQF logo? If so, what are the rules and restrictions?

Food Safety and Quality Code certified companies are granted authorization to use of the SQFI logo on any internal materials. Food Quality Code certified companies are additionally granted permission to use of the SQF logo (the SQF shield) on any products and marketing materials.

How do I access the SQF Standards?

Visit www.sqfi.org

SQF certification through SCS provides numerous benefits:

Limit Risk - Reduce the potential for food safety incidents and recalls.
Preferred Supplier - Many retailers now require their suppliers and manufacturers to be certified.
Competitive Edge - Assure customers that your food has been produced, processed, prepared and handled in accordance with rigorous standards.
Continuous Improvement – Over time, demonstrate improvements to quality and safety processes.
Professional service - SCS is known for our thorough and timely audits.
Combined services - Take advantage of our broad food and agriculture certification expertise, from safety to sustainability, to earn recognition for multiple achievements most cost-effectively.