Understanding Safe Quality Food 2000 Code Requirements
Another Quality System that deserves a closer look is the Safe Quality Food 2000
Code. In Walmart through their support behind SQF requiring their supply chain to
be certified to a GFSI standard including SQF on Feb. 2008.
The SQF 2000 Code is designed for use in all sectors of the food industry as a HACCP-based
quality management system to reduce the incidence of unsafe food reaching the marketplace.
It is a food safety program that also covers product quality. It offers benefits
to suppliers and buyers at all links in the food supply chain by addressing the
buyers food safety and quality requirements, and provides a solution for the suppliers.
First launched in 1994, The Food Marketing Institute acquired the rights to the
SQF program in 2003 and established the SQF Institute (SQFI) division to manage
the program. Now in its sixth edition, SQF 2000 Code is recognized by GFSI as meeting
its benchmark requirements. It is the only GFSI-recognized certification system
that links primary production certification to food manufacturing, distribution,
and agent/broker management certification.
The program provides independent certification that a suppliers food safety and
quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations.
This enables suppliers to help assure their customers that food has been produced,
processed, prepared, and handled according to the highest possible standards, at
all levels of the supply chain.
Levels of certification
The SQF 2000 Code is divided into three certification levels: Level 1 covers food
safety fundamentals; at Level 2, certified HACCP food safety plans are recognized
by GFSI; and at Level 3, comprehensive food safety and quality management system
actions exceed the GFSI benchmark requirements.
The SQF program has many unique features that help ensure trust and consistency
in the auditing process. Certification bodies that are licensed by the SQFI to perform
SQF audits are subject to regular assessments of their certification and audit activities
by internationally recognized accreditation bodies licensed by SQFI. Auditors are
only permitted to perform audits in the food industry sectors for which they have
been registered, and in which they have extensive expertise and experience.
|
Search for Training
|
Course Keywords: |
|
|
Series: |
|
|
Start Date: |
 |
|
End Date: |
|
|
Location: |
|
|
|
|
About Food Safety Quality
High-profile food safety scares in the marketplace have pushed the food
industry towards improvement. Change is hitting the entire industry at an
unprecedented level. The major food manufacturers and distributors, as well
as the largest retailers in the world such as Wal-Mart, Tesco, Delhaize,
Ahold, Migros, Metro, and Carrefour, have agreed to adopt Global Food Safety
Initiative (GFSI) standards. Wal-Mart and Sams Club Select, the largest
U.S. grocery chain, is leading the way by becoming the first to adopt GFSI
standards.
It is clear that organizations that do not adopt these standards will lose
out in the marketplace. Organizations such as Dean Foods and others have
adopted SQF for themselves and their suppliers. In the opinion of many,
the entire food industry will require SQF certification within the next
five years.
Food Safety Webinars
|
|