SQF—Safe Quality Food— is a program initiated by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). It works on the vision ‘one world; one standard’ to meet the food safety management requirements of suppliers and buyers across the globe. SQF is owned and regulated by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). SQF certification is a program initiated to reduce the need for multiple food safety audits.

Getting SQF Certified enables your organization to comply with international and domestic food safety regulations providing the suppliers with an assurance that food has been produced, and handled according to the highest viable standards.

All Audits are to be administered under the recent revision to Edition 8 compliant SQF Food Safety Management System of the SQF Code as of January 1, 2018.

Requirements:

Building your food safety system compliant to SQF Code requirements is workable goal for your organization. The steps to develop and implement an SQF system includes:

Downloading the SQF Code, applicable resources and training for your organization from the SQF website www.sqfi.com.

Getting your company registered in the SQF database.

Appoint an employee as an SQF Practitioner who will be your internal expert on SQF to guide the development, documentation and implementation of your SQF food safety system.

Develop & Implement the SQF System at your facility.

Conducting Self-Assessments of your SQF system.

Choose a Certification Body.

Ask 4C Consulting for a quote for your certification audit.

Conduct an optional pre-assessment audit to identify any gaps between your system, practices and the SQF Code to prepare for your certification audit. Self-assessment checklists are available on the SQF website.

Schedule a certification audit with 4C Consulting.

Complete your certification audit inclusive of a documented review and facility assessment.

Obtain your SQF Certificate when your organization demonstrates C-Complies rating or greater with no outstanding non-conformances.

Ongoing Communications with 4C Consulting.