SQF Certification
QIMA offers SQF certification under the GFSI recognized for food processing and packaging companies, logistics providers, and other members of the food supply chain.
QIMA offers SQF certification under the GFSI recognized for food processing and packaging companies, logistics providers, and other members of the food supply chain.
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification is a rigorous food safety and quality program recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The SQF food safety and quality codes are designed to meet consumer, industry, and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain, from farm to fork.
As a food producer, achieving certification under the Safe Quality Food Certification scheme helps you assure your buyers that their food products have been grown, produced, processed, prepared and handled according to the highest standards of food safety and quality.
The SQF program links primary production certification to food manufacturing, distribution and agent/broker management certification. QIMA offers SQF certification for all members of the food supply chain, under the following scopes:
Solutions for small and medium sized suppliers who want to implement or improve their food safety management program.
Primary Production
Food Retail
Manufacturing
Manufacturing of Food Packaging
Storage and Distribution
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As food supply chains continue to evolve, the SQF has updated their code in order to continue to evolve alongside the global marketplace.
Edition 9 aligns with the latest GFSI benchmarking requirements and is designed to help you meet and exceed all industry, customer, and regulatory requirements to remain competitive across sectors.
Edition 9 will be mandatory as of May 24, 2021, however from now until then you are able to utilize version 8.1 for your audit.
Code Edition 9 - Overview and Highlight of Changes
Key Changes:
These Food Sector Categories are now part of the Primary Production Code. FSC 2 is new under Ed. 9 and FSC 4 has been moved into this code as well.
Updates to requirements for in-house laboratories.
More clarification on co-manufacturers.
Focus on Food Safety Culture.
Download SQF Codes Edition 9 here.
For SQF guidance, tips, and checklists, click here.
Is a site-specific, process, and product certification standard with an emphasis on the systematic application of CODEX Alimentarius Commission HACCP principles and guidelines for control of food safety and food quality hazards.
All applicable system elements and the relevant GAP & GMP module(s) are assessed as part of the SQF audit. Where an element is not applicable and appropriately justified, the SQF food safety audit marks it as "not applicable" (N/A) in the audit report.
Mandatory elements are designated with “Mandatory” in the system elements in the SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing, System Elements. Mandatory elements must be audited, and compliance/non-compliance reported (cannot be reported as “not applicable” or “exempt”).
The mandatory elements of an SQF food safety audit are:
Food Safety Policy
Management Responsibility
Management Review
Complaint Management
Food Safety Management System
Document Control
Records
Food Legislation
Good Manufacturing Practices
Food Safety Plan
Approved Supplier Program
Product Release
Validation and Effectiveness
Verification and Monitoring
Corrective and Preventative Action
Internal Audit
Product Identification
Product Trace
Product Withdrawal and Recall
Food Defense Plan
Allergen Management for Food Manufacturing (mandatory for food manufacturers only)
Allergen management for Pet Food Manufacturing (mandatory for pet food manufacturers only)
Training Program
Promote confidence in food safety, quality and legality
Enhance your brand’s marketing image
Create a platform for consistent improvement in process quality and safety
Streamline process management by helping to proactively identify and manage risk
Encourage more responsible agricultural and manufacturing processes
Provide proof of due diligence and comply with regulatory requirements
Seamless Communication & Service
Responsive technical support at every stage
Transparent certification process & on-time certification delivery
Exceptional service quality validated by 72 NPS score
Cost & Time Optimization
Multi-scheme audits reduce site visits and costs
Streamlined processes minimize operational disruption
Optimized local auditor deployment
Industry Leadership
Preferred certification partner - highest ranked GLOBALG.A.P. and PrimusGFS provider in North America
30+ years pioneering food safety, organic, and sustainable standards
Comprehensive farm-to-fork certification ecosystem
Advanced technology for compliance monitoring
By contacting QIMA you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.