May 8, 2025
Consumers expect the food they buy and the materials it comes packaged in to be safe—and rightly so. However, a recent survey by the International Food Information Council reveals that over a third (38%) of the population has no confidence in the safety of the food supply chain.
That’s because without proper safety measures in place, a lot can (and does) go wrong between the farm and the table. Food manufacturing includes a complex network of farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants, all working together to produce safe food at scale. Without stringent safety and quality standards, food contamination and spoilage are a real threat to consumers and businesses alike.
Food recalls alone cost companies nearly $10 million per incident. With 18% of consumers saying they’d abandon a brand if a recall was issued, one mistake can have lasting consequences.
That’s where SQF certification comes in.
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification helps businesses meet global food safety standards, build trust with major retailers, and stay competitive in a tightly regulated market. Whether you’re supplying fresh produce, packaged goods, or food-grade packaging, getting SQF certified is how you prove your business takes food safety seriously.
This guide breaks down what SQF compliance means, how to get certified, and why it’s essential for food businesses at every level of the supply chain.
SQF certification is a globally recognized food safety and quality program that shows your business has integrated safety standards into every part of its operations.
It applies to industries and operations across the food supply chain, including:
SQF aligns with the international food safety benchmarks set by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) to help companies identify and manage risks, stay compliant with evolving regulations, and gain access to major retailers and markets that demand verifiable food safety management systems.
The SQF Institute, a division of The Food Industry Association (FMI), oversees the SQF certification process. It develops and maintains the SQF Code, which outlines clear, measurable criteria that businesses must meet to earn certification and remain in good standing.
The institute enforces SQF compliance through structured documentation and independent third-party audits that meet the GFSI’s strict benchmarks. For example, packaging companies like Premium Label & Packaging Solutions, whose facility earned SQF certification in 2023, lean on the SQF Manufacture of Food Packaging Code to guide both daily operations and their long-term strategy.
The SQF Packaging Code sets strict standards for the safe production and storage of food-contact materials and other non-food items manufactured on-site.
This applies to a wide range of packaging products, such as:
For companies like Premium Label, SQF certification is more than a compliance win, it’s a strategic move that signals their commitment to quality while opening doors to new business.
SQF certification is backed by GFSI, a globally recognized benchmark that brings consistency and credibility to food safety standards worldwide. Established in 2000 by the Consumer Goods Forum, GFSI represents a global network of nearly 400 of the world’s largest food retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers across 150 countries.
Before GFSI, food businesses faced a tangle of overlapping audits, with each retailer or market requiring its own standard. GFSI changed that by creating a unified framework, allowing certified companies to adhere to one standard recognized by businesses around the world, reducing audit fatigue, simplifying supply chain expectations, and building trust across borders.
Today, many of the world’s top food retailers and manufacturers require suppliers to hold a GFSI-recognized certification, like SQF, including:
To get SQF certified, businesses need to implement systems that prove food safety is part of their daily operations.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
At the heart of any SQF certified operation is a food safety program built on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). This program helps organizations be proactive about identifying where things could go wrong and putting controls in place to prevent issues from arising. Whether you’re producing snacks or packaging produce, HACCP helps you map out potential hazards (like contamination or mislabeling) and build systems to monitor and manage them.
SQF certification also requires a Quality Management System (QMS)—a set of documented procedures and processes that help you track performance, identify problems early, and continuously improve. This could include product inspections, equipment calibration, and handling customer feedback.
Getting an SQF certificate isn’t a one-off task—it’s a process. Here’s how to approach it step by step:
Before you begin:
Pro Tip: Start gathering your existing food safety documents early to speed things up later.
1. Your first step is to adopt the SQF Code:
2. Next, ensure that you follow the seven HACCP principles:
Portco Packaging was one of the first West Coast food packaging companies to earn the highest-level SQF certificate. To achieve this, the company made changes to its plant layout and processes, enabling it to pass the SQF audit with flying colors and leading to both higher production capacity and fewer customer returns.
Its SQF certification now plays a key role in its market positioning and reliability with customers.
After implementing the SQF Code, you’d need to undergo a third-party audit to certify your efforts. There are three types of audits:
Any non-conformities must be addressed with corrective actions within a set timeframe. Keeping clear records and documenting responses are crucial here.
Once you pass the audit, your facility will be listed in the SQF Certified Site Directory, giving your business visibility and credibility. But certification isn’t permanent. You must conduct annual audits to maintain your status.
To simplify the audit process, use an SQF compliance solution like Redzone to manage documentation, track updates, and stay on top of its evolving requirements.
Being SQF certified brings more than peace of mind—it’s a long-term strategic advantage that can strengthen your business’s credibility and increase marketability.
Nearly 90% of certified suppliers said GFSI-backed certifications like SQF helped them address critical food safety concerns. In fact, companies were 8x more likely to pursue certification again once they understood the process.
SQF certification proves that your products meet strict safety and quality standards. It’s a signal to customers, partners, and regulators that your business has the systems in place to manage risks, prevent contamination, and deliver consistent, high-quality products.
In fact, most suppliers agree that GFSI-benchmarked schemes like SQF push them to raise the bar. Certification often requires not just stronger documentation but also better food safety practices and expanded employee training.
Companies implementing GFSI standards report increased product safety and reduced waste. The result? Less redundancy, more consistency, and a stronger food safety culture across the organization.
GFSI is now the gold standard for food safety in the international supply chain. For most certified companies, the primary driver for becoming GFSI compliant was meeting existing customer requirements, followed closely by the potential to gain new customers.
As a result, retailers and manufacturers often prioritize or even require certified suppliers. If your competitors are SQF certified and you’re not, it may mean that you risk losing out on key contracts and partnerships.
SQF certification applies to every link in the supply chain—from farms and manufacturers to packaging and distribution. That’s why 74% of businesses would choose certification even without retailer pressure—to ensure their materials meet safety standards for direct food contact.
To truly understand SQF compliance, you need to know the key frameworks and principles that support it.
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is the backbone of any food safety plan. It’s a system that’s fully integrated into the SQF Code to analyze, identify, and manage potential food safety risks in your operations. This ensures that businesses can remain proactive in preventing issues, rather than acting reactively after they arise.
Whether you’re monitoring cooking temperatures, allergen controls, or sanitation procedures, HACCP helps create a structured, reliable approach to risk management that meets both regulatory and retailer expectations.
The Food Safety Fundamentals Program is an entry-level SQF certification designed for new or small food businesses and those operating in low-risk sectors, like dry food packaging. (Since these products don’t come into contact with raw or perishable ingredients and don’t pose the same contamination risks as high-moisture or ready-to-eat foods, they’re considered lower risk.)
Unlike higher SQF certification levels that require a full HACCP-based food safety plan and a QMS, the Fundamentals Program focuses on the core building blocks: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), basic sanitation controls, employee hygiene, and traceability.
Let’s clear up some myths about what it means to be SQF certified.
This entry-level SQF certification is designed for low-risk food businesses or those just getting started with food safety processes. It focuses on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) like hygiene, sanitation, and pest control. Often a first step toward higher certification.
Level 2 is the most common level and is GFSI-recognized. Requires a full HACCP-based food safety plan, risk assessments, traceability, and corrective actions. This is the standard for most food manufacturers and processors.
Includes Level 2 requirements plus a formal QMS that monitors product specs, customer feedback, and continuous improvement.
SQF Certification Levels Comparison
| SQF Level | Focus | Key Requirements | Who It’s For | GFSI Recognized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Food Safety Fundamentals | Basic food safety | Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)Sanitation proceduresBasic employee hygiene | Low-risk operations or businesses new to food safety programs | ❌No |
| Level 2: HACCP-Based Food Safety Plans | Core food safety + risk management | HACCP-based food safety planRisk analysis + preventative controlsTraceabilityCAPAs | Most manufacturers, processors, and packaging suppliers | ✅Yes |
| Level 3: Comprehensive Food Safety and Quality Systems | Advanced food safety + quality control | All Level 2 requirementsQuality Management System (QMS)Customer feedbackImprovement plans | Businesses focused on consistent product quality + food safety | ✅Yes |
Getting SQF certified isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about demonstrating your commitment to food safety, quality, and continuous improvement. From implementing food safety plans to passing rigorous audits, the journey to certification is an investment in your brand’s future.
Want to make the process easier?
Book a Demo to see how Redzone Software’s Compliance Solution can help you manage audits, streamline documentation, and maintain SQF compliance at all times.
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