Introduction to
SQF
Certification
(Use “Notes “ View in PowerPoint to see additional guidance)
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SQF Certification
Scheme
Safe Quality Food, SQF
• The SQF System is a Food Safety Management System
(FSMS)
• It is a set of requirements for integrated processes that work
together to control and minimize food safety hazards
• You must implement processes such as - Management
Commitment, Document Control and Records, Food Safety
Fundamentals, Food Safety Plans, Verification and Validation,
Product Identification and Traceability, Site Security, Allergen
Management and Training
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SQF Certification
Scheme
Safe Quality Food, SQF
• The certification program is managed by the Safe Quality
Food Institute (SQFI)
• www.sqfi.com
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SQF Certification
Scheme
Safe Quality Food, SQF
• The SQF System was designed to provide suppliers with a
recognized certification
• To be able to provide proof of a rigorous food safety
management system
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SQF Certification
Scheme
Safe Quality Food, SQF
• The SQF is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative,
GFSI
• Providing worldwide recognition and acceptance by food
manufacturers and retailers
• More detail on GFSI: www.mygfsi.com
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SQF Certification
Scheme
Safe Quality Food, SQF
A supplier can choose from 3
Levels of certification
Level 1- Food Safety
Fundamentals
• Level 2-HACCP (GFSI
Recognition)
• Level 3-Integrated Food Safety
and Quality
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SQF Certification
Scheme
SQF Documents
SQF Documents can be downloaded at the SQFI Website
and include:
•
The SQF Code
•
Guidance for Developing, Documenting and Implementing SQF
•
Additional guidance documents
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SQF Certification
Scheme
Initial Certification to SQF
•
Choose an accredited certification body. They will conduct:
•
Document Review
•
On-site Audit
•
Surveillance Audits
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SQF Certification
Scheme
The SQF Certification Audit
• An SQF Auditor will examine your SQF System to determine:
•
If the system has been implemented effectively
•
If there is evidence of Management Commitment to the
maintenance and improvement of the system
•
If activities comply with regulatory, customer and SQF requirements
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SQF Certification
Scheme
The SQF Certification Audit
• A Minor Nonconformity:
•
Is a nonconformance to the documented system or to the SQF
Code that does not cause an immediate food safety risk or indicate
ineffective implementation of a system element.
•
Must be corrected within 30 days of the finding and will be verified
at the next audit.
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SQF Certification
Scheme
The SQF Certification Audit
• A Major Nonconformity:
•
Is a nonconformance to the documented system or to the SQF
Code that could cause an immediate food safety risk or indicate
ineffective implementation of a system element.
•
Must be corrected and verified within 14 days of the finding
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SQF Certification
Scheme
The SQF Certification Audit
• A Critical Nonconformity:
•
Is a loss of control at a critical control point, prerequisite program or
other process step that could cause a significant risk and product
safety is compromised, or
•
Falsification of records
•
It will result in suspension of Certificate
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SQF Certification
Scheme
The SQF Surveillance Audit
•
Once certified, your certification body will audit to ensure that
your organization continues to comply with requirements
•
Frequency will be determined by your certification body and
based on performance and SQF System rating at the
certification audit
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Certification:
Costs and Benefits
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Benefits of Certification
• Greater opportunities and market access
• Reduces audit burdens from buyer audits
• Improves processes and efficiencies
• Savings from reduced recalls
• Recognized worldwide
• Promotes confidence
• Enhances image
• Manages risk
• Proof of due diligence
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Certification Trends
• Global food trade is expanding and driving demand
for third party certification
• With diverse food safety regulations worldwide,
certification provides common ground for food
safety regulations
• SQF has thousands of registered companies
worldwide
• ISO 22000 had 34% growth in 2010
• FSSC 22000 new in 2010 has over 900 certificates
issued
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Benefits of GFSI
• SQF is GFSI Benchmarked
(recognized by GFSI)
•
GFSI is the result of
collaboration between
some of the worlds leading
food safety experts from
retailers, manufacturers
and food service
companies.
•
GFSI benchmarked
certifications are
recognized worldwide
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Costs to Consider
• Costs
•
Internal
•
Consultant/Tools
•
Certification Audits and
accreditations
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Ongoing costs to consider
• Ongoing employee time for: • Management review
•
Internal Audits
• Document control
•
Training
• Corrective Actions
•
Verification activities
• Supplier evaluations and
•
Food safety team meetings
•
Change control
corrections
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SQF Practitioner
• Responsibilities
and Qualifications
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SQF Practitioner
Required Qualifications
•
The practitioner must be a company employee
•
Have demonstrated knowledge and experience
•
Understand the requirements of the SQF code
•
Must complete HACCP Training
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SQF Practitioner
Roles and Responsibilities
• Lead the development and implementation of:
•
Food Safety Fundamentals - GMPs or Prerequisite Programs
•
Food Safety Plans - HACCP Plans
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SQF Practitioner
Roles and Responsibilities
•
Lead the SQF System implementation
•
Ensure the maintenance and integrity of the SQF System
•
Communicate essential information to personnel
SQF Practitioner
Roles and Responsibilities
•
The SQF Practitioner is responsible for Validation and Verification
activities
•
Validate and verify Food Safety Fundamentals
•
Validate and verify Food Safety Plans (HACCP Plans)
SQF
Implementation
Steps
• Steps and
Techniques
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 1 - Learn
• Learn about SQF. Complete the training modules:
•
Introduction to SQF System Elements
•
Food Safety Fundamentals: GMPs for Food Processors
http://www.22000-tools.com/sqf-online-training.html
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 2 - Plan
•
Plan your project.
•
Tool: Complete the tutorial and exercise
modules:
•
Creating your Project Plan
•
Conducting your Gap Analysis
•
Available in our SQF All-in-One
Packages.
•
http://www.22000-tools.com/sqf-all-inone.html
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 3 - Document your processes
•
•
Tool: Complete the tutorial and exercise modules:
•
Documenting SQF Procedures
•
Developing and implementing programs Food Safety Fundamentals (Prerequisite Programs)
•
Creating a Food Safety Manual
Available in our SQF All-in-One Packages
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 4 - Train your Employees
Food Safety Fundamentals
PRP’s they are responsible for
General Requirements of SQF
Tool: Assign Online Training Sessions to your employees
included in our SQF Premium All-in-One Packages
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 5 - Train your Internal Auditors
Tool: Assign Online
Internal Auditor
Training Sessions to
your employees
included in our SQF
All-in-One Packages
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 6 - Schedule your Registration Audit
SQF Implementation
Steps
Step 7 - Celebrate