SQF Certification
Demonstrate your commitment to food safety and quality with Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification. Mérieux NutriSciences Certification LLC provides independent SQF certification and auditing services for food manufacturers, processors, suppliers, and other businesses throughout the food supply chain.
What Is SQF Certification?
Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification is an internationally recognized food safety certification program administered by the SQF Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association.
The SQF Food Safety Codes are based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles and provide requirements for managing food safety risks across different sectors of the supply chain.
Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), applicable SQF Food Safety Codes help businesses demonstrate conformity with established food safety requirements and meet customer and retailer expectations.
SQF programs can be selected based on an organization's products, processes, and operations, with separate codes addressing food safety fundamentals, food safety certification, and quality management.
Who Can Benefit From SQF Certification?
SQF Certification supports businesses seeking to demonstrate food safety management practices and meet supply chain certification requirements.
Organizations that may benefit include:
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Food processing facilities
- Primary producers and agricultural operations
- Pet food and animal feed manufacturers
- Dietary supplement manufacturers
- Food packaging manufacturers
- Warehousing and distribution facilities
- Retail and foodservice operations
The appropriate SQF Code depends on the organization's activities, products, and applicable certification scope.
Benefits of SQF Certification
SQF Certification helps organizations demonstrate that their food safety management systems meet recognized requirements.
Key benefits include:
- GFSI recognition: Demonstrate conformity with an applicable GFSI-recognized SQF Food Safety Code.
- Customer confidence: Support retailer, manufacturer, and supply chain partner expectations for food safety.
- Market access: Help meet certification requirements for domestic and international business opportunities.
- Food safety management: Establish and maintain documented, HACCP-based food safety controls.
- Operational consistency: Support standardized processes, monitoring, and corrective actions.
- Quality differentiation: Eligible SQF Quality-certified sites may use the SQF Quality Shield in accordance with SQFI requirements.
SQF Certification Codes and Programs
The SQF program includes codes designed for different food industry sectors and levels of food safety and quality management.
SQF Food Safety Codes
- Primary Production
- Manufacturing
- Food Packaging
- Storage & Distribution
- Retail
- Foodservice
SQF Fundamental Codes
- Primary
- Fundamental
SQF Quality Code
- SQF Quality Code
Each code establishes requirements relevant to the organization's operations and applicable certification objectives.
Understanding the SQF Certification Process
SQF Certification involves an independent assessment of a facility's food safety management system against the applicable SQF Code.
1. Application and Certification Scope
The certification body reviews the facility's activities, products, processes, and applicable SQF requirements to establish the certification scope and audit requirements.
2. SQF Certification Audit
A qualified auditor evaluates the organization's food safety management system, documented procedures, HACCP-based controls, and implementation of applicable SQF requirements.
3. Corrective Actions and Certification Decision
Any identified nonconformities must be addressed according to SQF program requirements. An independent certification review determines whether certification requirements have been met.
4. Maintaining SQF Certification
Certified facilities must complete required recertification activities, including applicable annual and unannounced audits, to maintain certification.
Certification is based on demonstrated conformity with the applicable SQF Code and is not guaranteed.
Why Choose Mérieux NutriSciences for SQF Certification?
Mérieux NutriSciences Certification LLC is an independent subsidiary of Mérieux NutriSciences, established to provide third-party certification services against internationally recognized standards.
Our certification body is accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ), with certification activities conducted within our approved accreditation scope.
View our JASANZ accreditation details and scope (references 2.14 and 2.20).
Our certification services include:
- Independent audits against applicable SQF requirements
- Qualified auditors with relevant food industry experience
- Established certification and review procedures
- Information about audit requirements and certification processes
- Independent certification decisions
Contact Our Certification Team >>
Frequently Asked Questions About SQF Certification
Get SQF Certified
Mérieux NutriSciences Certification, LLC is accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ) and our accreditation scope information can be found here (Reference 2.14). Our currently accredited scopes are also listed below (Reference 2.20).