Global Food Collaborative

What is SQF?    The Safe Quality Food program is managed by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).   SQF is a leading, global food safety and quality certification program and management system, designed to meet the needs of buyers and suppliers worldwide.    The Program provides independent certification that a supplier's food safety and quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations.  This enables suppliers to 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.  

SQF is designed as a food safety program, but it also covers product quality, a feature that is unique to a certification program of this type.   Assuring consistent quality and meeting buyer specifications are important aspects of the buyer-supplier relationship. 

Launched in 1994, the SQF Program is administered by the SQF Institute , a division of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).  SQF certifications have been issued to companies operating in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and North and South America.  

SQF Programs:   Safe Quality Food has two codes - the first, 1000, is for primary production.   The second, 2000 is for food manufacturing and distribution.     

What does SQF offer Buyers/Suppliers ?  

1. Certification meets government food safety and traceability requirements and enables suppliers and buyers to demonstrate due dilligence in food safety matters.
2.  Certification protects brands, business and, ultimately, the consumer.
3.  Allows the implementation of one program and one standard to meet global market requirements.
4.  Provides controlled database access to supplier certification status and audit results.
5.  SQF is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and an increasing number of key buyers worldwide.
6.  SQF focuses on risk assessment and prevention aof food safety incidents and recalls.
7.  It is Internationally recognized.
8.  SQFReduces inconsistencies and costs of multiple audits.
9.  SQF has a rigorous registration and training program for auditors - assuring competence and expertise.
10.  SQF has demonstrated an increased profit margin to participants by ensuring best practices systems and ability to more effectively grow businesses.

Who's using it?  The German Retail Federation, the French Wholesale and Retail Federation and the Mexico Calidad Suprema have working relationships with SQF to harmonize and assure that suppliers are meeting consistent requirements across borders to satisfy buyers of safe, quality food.

Sample SQF Certified Suppliers:

JCS Quality Foods
Admiral Fish Farms
ProSeries Ultra Health Pet Food

Sample of SQF Specifying Buyers:
 
Ahold - Albert Heijn, B.V., The Netherlands - Big Y Foods, Inc.
Bloom - Bottom Dollar Foods - Carrefour Group - Daymon Worldwide Inc.
Farm Fresh, LLC - Food Lion, LLC  - Giant Food Stores LLC -  Giant Food, Inc.
Hannaford Bros. Co. - Harris Teeter, Inc. - H-E-B 
Kash n’ Karry Food Stores, Inc. - Lund Food Holdings, Inc
Metro, AG - Migros, Switzerland
Pathmark Stores, Inc.  - Peapod, Inc.
Price Chopper Supermarkets - Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Raley's Family of Fine Stores - Safeway, Inc.
Sam's Club - Schnuck Markets, Inc. - SUPERVALU  INC. 
Sweetbay Supermarkets - The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company
Tops Markets, LLC  - Wakefern Food Corporation
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc  - Wegmans Food Markets, Inc
Weis Markets, Inc. 

Where do you find out more?
Amanda Bond-Thorley - 202.220.0606 or email.
Safe Quality Food Institute

Beyond HAACP Presentation (Excellent Overview of Value Proposition)

SQF International Conference  October 1-3, 2008, Marriott Tech Center, Denver, Colorado

Discover why buyers and suppliers worldwide continue to choose food safety and quality certification as their preferred solution to gain and maintain consumer trust.  


  
SQF Certified Primary Producer  -  SQF Certified Manufacturers

Level 1:  Food Safety Fundamentals
Level 2:  Certified HACCP Food Safety Plans
Level 3:  Comprehensive Quality Management Systems Development