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What is SQF Certification and What Does it Mean to be Certified?

What is SQF Certification?

SQF certification stands for Safe Quality Food certification — it’s a globally recognized food safety and quality management program designed to ensure that food has been produced, processed, prepared, and handled according to the highest standards.

The Importance of Getting SQF Certified in the Food Industry

SQF certification is important in the food industry because it is one of the ways that a company demonstrates commitment to producing safe, high-quality food that meets both national and international standards. Because industrial and retail often require third-party food safety certification from their suppliers, it can increase a company’s commercial opportunities. SQF certification helps manufacturers establish quality routines that protect consumers from foodborne illness, build trust with customers and retailers, and open access to larger markets that require certified suppliers. By ensuring consistent safety practices, SQF certification also reduces waste, lowers the risk of recalls, and promotes continuous improvement within the organization.

A Roadmap to Achieving SQF Certification

Step 1: Learn the SQF Code and Determine Your Scope

Choose the correct SQF Code for your specific industry and the desired certification level. Each SQF certification level is built around a different set of conditions and goals.

Step 2: Appoint an SQF Practitioner

Designate a full-time employee to be the SQF Practitioner. The SQF Practitioner must complete HACCP training. https://rzsoftware.com/haccp-certification-guide/

Step 3: Register Your Site

Officially register your food company in the SQF Assessment Database.

Step 4: Conduct a Gap Analysis

Perform internal audits to ensure compliance and identify any potential gaps.

Step 5: Document and Implement Your SQF System

Create the necessary policies and procedures to comply with the SQF code. Ensure those policies and procedures are being followed. This can be an extensive process for complex processes with no formal quality system in place. However, for manufacturers with a robust quality system in place already, this is a simpler process.

Step 6: Choose a Certification Body and Schedule an Audit

Choose an accredited certification body to perform the official audit.

Step 7: Complete Corrective Actions and Receive Your Certificate

If any non-conformances are found, you must implement corrective actions and document your responses.
Additional information regarding the SQF certification process can be found here: https://rzsoftware.com/sqf-certified-a-step-by-step-guide-to-sqf-certification-compliance/

Exploring the Different SQF Certification Levels

SQF Fundamentals

• Basic food safety controls.
• For low-risk products or operations starting to implement food safety systems.
• Not recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

SQF Food Safety

• Builds on Level 1 with a full HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) program.
• GFSI-recognized and most commonly required by buyers.
• Focuses on identifying and controlling food safety hazards.

SQF Food Safety and Quality

• Includes all Level 2 food safety requirements plus quality management systems.
• Focuses on both safety and consistent product quality.
• Demonstrates a company’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Streamline Your Path to SQF Excellence

• Achieving a major third-party certification like SQF is a rigorous but valuable process for any food business.
• SQF requires extensive documentation of existing processes, and participants must be able to provide evidence of successful completion of checks, training, and internal audits.
• Additionally, nonconformances must be tracked with demonstrated workflows followed for events that lead to CAPAs and deviations.
• Redzone Compliance is an electronic quality management system that simplifies all compliance program management. Redzone recordkeeping creates total visibility of upcoming and completed quality checks, with instantly retrievable records. Automatic escalation workflows, with embedded action management, ensure proper tracking and follow-up to nonconforming events. SPC (statistical process control) tracking and dashboards are built right into the solution, especially valuable for teams struggling to maintain consistent weights, temperatures, pH, or other measured characteristics.
• To learn more about how Redzone can help your factory as you establish a new quality program like SQF or maintain your existing quality programs: https://rzsoftware.com/request-a-demo/

FAQs About SQF Certification

• Why should my site pursue SQF certification?
  • Becoming SQF certified shows that your site consistently produces safe, high-quality food and follows globally recognized standards. Here are the main reasons it’s worth pursuing:
    • Customer and retailer requirements: Many major buyers—like Walmart, Costco, and McDonald’s—require suppliers to hold an SQF (or other GFSI-recognized) certification. It opens doors to new business opportunities.
    • Demonstrates food safety commitment: Certification proves your facility meets rigorous, audited standards for preventing contamination and ensuring safe products.
    • Improves consistency and efficiency: Implementing SQF strengthens processes, reduces waste, and improves recordkeeping and traceability.
    • Reduces risk: A structured food safety system helps prevent costly recalls, regulatory issues, or brand damage.
    • Enhances reputation: Customers and consumers trust companies that invest in verified food safety and quality programs.
  • In short, SQF certification isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building customer trust, reducing risk, and strengthening your business.
• Is SQF mandatory?
  • SQF is not legally mandatory — but it’s often commercially required if you want to sell to certain buyers or operate in specific supply chains.
• How much does it cost to become SQF certified?
  • The cost to become SQF certified can vary widely depending on your facility’s size, complexity, and level of preparedness. The typical total cost range can be anywhere from $10,000-$50,000 for most small to mid-sized facilities, but here’s a realistic breakdown:

Category	What it Includes	Estimated Cost
Training & Preparation	SQF Practitioner courses, HACCP training, staff education	$1,000–$5,000
Consulting (optional)	Help with documentation, gap analysis, and implementation	$3,000–$15,000
Audit Fees	Paid to the certification body for Stage 1 & Stage 2 audits	$5,000–$10,000
Corrective Actions	Fixes or upgrades after audit (equipment, procedures, signage, etc.)	$1,000–$10,000+
Annual Recertification	Ongoing yearly audits and maintenance	$3,000–$7,000 per year

• How long does it take to get SQF certified?
  • The time it takes to get SQF-ready depends on your facility’s starting point — how much of a food safety system you already have in place. Additionally, becoming SQF certified requires a completed third-party assessment. If your factory has a time in mind by which to achieve certification, it is recommended that you begin with this certification date in mind and work backwards to determine critical milestones along the way.
• What is the difference between SQF and HACCP?
  • HACCP is a food safety system that identifies and controls potential hazards in food production, and it’s often required by law. SQF, on the other hand, is a voluntary certification program that builds on HACCP by adding broader requirements for documentation, training, supplier management, and quality control. In short, HACCP focuses on preventing hazards, while SQF demonstrates a company’s overall commitment to both food safety and quality through third-party certification.
• Can an individual be SQF certified?
  • No — an individual cannot be SQF certified. SQF certification applies to facilities or companies, not people. It verifies that a site’s food safety and quality management system meets the SQF Code requirements. However, individuals can earn SQF training certificates, such as:
    • Implementing SQF Systems
    • SQF Practitioner training (required for each certified site)
    • SQF Internal Auditor or Quality Code training
  • So, while a person can’t be SQF certified, they can be trained and qualified.