SQF Food Safety and Quality Codes
The SQF Program is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which is a globally recognized benchmark for food safety management systems. The SQF Program’s food safety and quality codes are designed to meet the needs of suppliers throughout the food chain, including manufacturers, processors, distributors, and retailers.
The SQF Program covers various stages of the food supply chain through industry-specific codes. These codes are tailored to the specific requirements and challenges of different sectors within the food industry, ensuring that food safety and quality standards are upheld at each stage of production, processing, and distribution.
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Supply Chain Scope
The SQF codes are designed to cater to the specific needs of various sectors in the food supply chain. This comprehensive coverage allows for the certification of different stages and processes involved in food production, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and food service.
Sector Focused
The SQF Codes have gained global recognition and are widely accepted as a certification that ensures a product meets international food safety requirements. Each code within the SQF program is tailored to address the specific food safety good manufacturing practices (GMP) relevant to its corresponding sector.
Industry Approved
The SQF Codes are widely recognized as one of the leading food safety and quality management systems globally. The certification provides assurance to retailers, food service providers, and other stakeholders that a company has implemented robust food safety and quality management practices.
What’s in the Codes?
More than a Global Food Safety Standard.
SQF certification goes beyond food safety and includes a strong emphasis on quality management. By obtaining SQF certification, companies can demonstrate their commitment to not only producing safe food products but also maintaining high standards of quality throughout their 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:
