admin

If one is compliant with SQF, is it safe to say that one is also compliant with the FDA?

Not necessarily. The requirements emphasize different aspects. The FDA is regulatory, the SQF code emphasizes food safety management. SQF does require that you comply with all applicable regulations, such as FDA. So a certified company is expected to comply with all relevant requirements as part of the Certification.

How do you know which regulations are not included in the SQF Code?

The SQF code does not actually contain FDA requirements.   Think of the SQF code and the regulations that apply to your organization as separate things.. identify all the requirements that apply, and then build your SQF system as well. The SQF emphasizes process management to manage food safety issues that can be used by many different industries, not specific regulatory requirements that can vary by industry and country.

How does SQF compare to the new FSMA requirements?

SQF includes processes that address many of the aspects of the FSMA requirements that are being proposed and implemented. You can find a comparison of the SQF standard and FMSA on the SQF site, www.sqfi.com.

SQF and HACCP both address food safety, so what is the difference between them?

When a company sets out to become SQF Certified, it is necessary to appoint an SQF Practitioner to be the lead for the implementation of the SQF system. The company must give that person the authority to lead the development of the Food Safety Fundamentals and the Food Safety Plan.

Role of the SQF Practitioner:

The SQF Practitioner will not only lead the implementation but they will be responsible for maintaining the system and making sure it is effective through the use of verification and validation.
The SQF Practitioner will facilitate communication in the company of information related to the implementation and maintenance of the system.
SQF Training for the Practitioner: A collection of essential tools for the SQF Practitioner has been created by 22000-tools.com to help the SQF Practitioner with these responsibilities. They will make the project much easier, saving time and money in the process.

Requirements of an SQF Practitioner:

The SQF Code defines the required qualifications for this role in Section 8.2 “SQF Practitioner”:
2.1.2.5 The SQF practitioner shall:
i. Be employed by the supplier as a company employee on a full-time basis;
ii. Hold a position of responsibility in relation to the management of the supplier’s SQF
System;
iii. Have completed a HACCP training course;
iv. Be competent to implement and maintain HACCP based food safety plans; and
v. Have an understanding of the SQF Code  and the requirements for implementing and maintaining an SQF System relevant to the supplier scope of certification.
 

There are many important benefits of SQF Certification. The benefits extend to lowered costs, increased profits and market share and lowered risk of product recalls. The benefits include:

• 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

The implementation costs to consider include

• Internal costs
• Cost of consultant or software
• Training programs
• Certification Audits and accreditations

The ongoing costs to consider include:

• Internal Audits
• Training
• Verification activities
• Food safety team meetings
• Change control
• Management review
• Document control
• Corrective Actions
• Supplier evaluations and corrections

You can reduce your implementation costs by using the effective implementation tools offered by 22000-tools.com. All the requirements are covered: documentation, employee training, food safety team training, internal auditor training. Detailed step-by-step tutorials, plans and task lists guide you along the way. The Premium Online All-in-One Package offers all of these tools in an economical package.

The Global Food Safety Initiative, GFSI is an organization run by the Consumer Goods Forum. One of its main purposes is to benchmark existing food standards against food safety criteria and recognize those that meet the criteria outlined in the GFSI Guidance Document. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is coordinated by The Food Business Forum CIES. This forum is a global food network made up of approximately 400 retailers and manufacturers worldwide. Recognized food safety standards and their certification schemes are widely accepted throughout the world. Many organizations in the food industry are requesting that suppliers achieve certification to one of the benchmarked standards.
GFSI “benchmarks” food safety standards, evaluating them against a set of criteria to ensure the core of the standards are equivalent and certification will be acceptable. The goal is “Once certified, accepted everywhere” eliminating the time expense involved in duplication of audits. Many retailers and food manufacturing companies are requesting that suppliers become certified to a GFSI recognized Standard.
The food safety schemes currently benchmarked by GFSI include:

• FSSC 22000 (See Implementation Package)
• SQF Level 2 (See Implementation Package)
• BRC Version 6
• Global Aquaculture Alliance BAP
• Global Red Meat Standard
• Canada GAP for primary production
• Global GAP for primary production

New FREE Online Gap Analysis Manager shows you how to conduct the gap analysis.

• Print a gap analysis plan
• Download the checklist template
• View the gap analysis tutorial

This is a great place to start as you begin to explore food safety system standards for your company.