SQF Certification / Food Safety Standard
The Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certification has been designed as a rigorous and credible international food safety standard. Developed on Australian shores in 1994 and since 2003 has been owned and managed by the Food Marketing Institute. A pivotal asset in making SQF so effective and widely recognised is the direct input from retail stakeholders into its development. This engagement helps food manufacturers and production companies achieve the highest standards of food safety. In 2004 the program was recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), providing further credibility to the standard and introducing it to the world.
Since its inception, the standard has evolved into a fully encompassing certification protecting your food from farm to fork. The certification incorporates all types of food processing, manufacturing, storage, and distribution, and even extends to pet food because even our pets deserve the best! The standard is constructed of different modules which makes it quite unique in the certification world. This design allows for greater flexibility in achieving your certification but still maintains a consistent approach at all levels.
The SQF food safety standard is applicable to companies of all sizes, operating within food production industries. Preparing for your audit will require you to appoint an SQF practitioner who will be responsible for driving your company towards the requirements of the standard and continue to lead you after certification. This practitioner must be a full-time employee and have completed a HACCP-based training course. As this employee will also be responsible for conducting pre-audit assessments, they should have a thorough understanding of implementing and maintaining the correct manufacturing processes.
SQF Certification vs HACCP
These two standards are designed to work in conjunction with one another and allow manufacturing companies to create a comprehensive food safety and quality management plan. HACCP is a detailed systematic approach to identifying and controlling food safety hazards specific to your industry. While the SQF food safety is a foundation standard, providing a broader framework for food safety and quality management.
Compass Assurance Services functions as the designated auditing company responsible for overseeing the audit, while ASI is the certifying body and will issue your certificate. Both companies are apart of the Kiwa Group.
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What is a SQF Certification?
The SQF standard is the globally recognised food safety standard that meets the needs of all farmers, suppliers and distributors in the food industry through an internationally recognised system. This system has an emphasis on the systematic approach of HACCP for the control of food safety hazards.
Why do I need a SQF Certification?
Establishing why you need an SQF Food Safety Standard is easy for businesses who priorities growth and/or wants to supply the safest product possible. This standard is for companies who are seeking to elevate the standard of their entire industry. Providing a platform for enhancing procedures across the whole industry which leads to a safer and superior product for all.
What are the benefits of getting a SQF certification?
Consumers expect companies with a SQF certification to produce a safer and superior product. Additionally, the standard is the only internationally recognised GFSI program that covers the whole supply chain and is a huge advantage to companies entering new markets, both on our shores and overseas. For companies wanting to progress to the next level, the SQF standard could prove an invaluable tool.
How can I get SQF certified?
Getting an SQF Food Safety Standard is a lot easier than you might think, We take you through the easy audit process from your initial enquiry to the final certification decision.
Have you looked at our self assessment checklist yet?
We worked hard so you don’t have to. Our checklists break down the certification standard in plain English so you can understand the requirements and what your business needs to do to get certified.
Come along to one of our Workshops
Our team have organised many Essentials training course is designed to provide a basic and contextualised introduction to the standard principles and key practices. Emphasis is placed on practical application by considering how a certification may apply to your business.
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Contact us and speak to one of our helpful team about your ISO certification needs. We can offer certification to smaller, niche standards and to other non-accredited (non ISO) standards as well.
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