Sfq Code

SQF Code
A HACCP-Based Supplier Assurance Code for the Food Industry

7th Edition
JULY 2012
© Safe Quality Food Institute
2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 800 Arlington, VA 22202 USA 202-220-0635 www.sqfi.com

SQF Institute is a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).

The SQF Code, Edition 7 First published May 1995

Introduction

Introduction
Welcome to edition 7 of the SQFCode. The SQF Code has been redesigned for use by all sectors of the food industry from primary production to transport and distribution. Edition 7 applies to all industry sectors and replaces the SQF 2000 Code edition 6 and the SQF 1000 Code edition 5. The SQF Code is a process and product certification standard. It is a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based food safety and qualitymanagement system that utilizes the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Food (NACMCF) and the CODEX Alimentarius Commission HACCP principles and guidelines, and is intended to support industry or company branded product and to offer benefits to suppliers and their customers. Products produced and manufactured under the SQF Code certification retain a high degree ofacceptance in global markets. First developed in Australia in 1994, the SQF program has been owned and managed by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) since 2003, and was recognized (at level 2) in 2004 by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)* as a standard that meets its benchmark requirements. The SQF Code level 3 exceeds the requirements of the GFSI benchmark documents. The main feature of the SQFCode is its emphasis on the systematic application of HACCP for control of food quality hazards as well as food safety. The implementation of an SQF management system addresses a buyer’s food safety and quality requirements and provides the solution for businesses supplying local and global food markets. Certification of SQF Systems by a certification body licensed by the Safe Quality Food Institute(SQFI) is not a statement that the certification body guarantees the safety of a supplier’s food or service, or meets all food safety regulations at all times. However, it is an assurance that the supplier’s food safety plans have been implemented in accordance with the HACCP method and applicable regulatory requirements and that they have been verified and determined effective to manage foodsafety. It is also a statement of the supplier’s commitment to 1. 2. 3. produce safe, quality food, comply with the requirements of the SQF Code, and comply with applicable food legislation.

Edition 7 of the SQF Code is applicable to all certification and surveillance audits conducted after June 30, 2012. Those suppliers with an existing SQF certification will be required to upgrade their systemsto meet the requirements of Edition 7 by that date. This reference document is published in English, but is also available in other languages. Where there is any divergence between the translated version and the reference document, the reference document will prevail. For further definition of words in this document, please refer to Appendix 2: Glossary. Suggestions for improvements to the Code areencouraged from all users. They should be submitted in writing and be sent to SQFI, 2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA.

*The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a private organization established by the international trade association, the Consumer Goods Forum. The GFSI maintains a scheme to benchmark food safety standards for manufacturers as well as farm assurancestandards. Copyright© Food Marketing Institute (FMI) 2011. All rights reserved. First Printed May 1995 Users of this Code and the associated documents are reminded that copyright subsists in all FMI publications and software. Except where the Copyright Act allows and except where provided for below no publications or software produced by FMI may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any...