What Is the SQF Food Safety Code?

The SQF Food Safety Code is the core certification standard of the Safe Quality Food program. It is fully GFSI-benchmarked, meaning it meets the global standards set by the Global Food Safety Initiative—a critical requirement for doing business with most major retailers, manufacturers, and foodservice companies.

The Food Safety Code provides a comprehensive, HACCP-based framework that ensures the safety, legality, and quality of food products across the supply chain. It is designed for facilities that have already established foundational food safety systems and are ready to elevate those systems to meet global expectations.

Who Is This Certification Level For?

The Food Safety Code is best suited for:

• Facilities scaling beyond the SQF Fundamentals Program
• Manufacturers that supply major retailers or distributors
• Operations seeking alignment with FSMA, HACCP, and GFSI frameworks
• Companies seeking to differentiate through proactive food safety practices

It is ideal for organizations aiming to prove they can consistently manage risk, pass unannounced audits, and align with both regulatory and buyer-driven standards.

Core Focus Areas of the SQF Food Safety Code

The Food Safety Code dives deeper than the Fundamentals Program and introduces more rigorous expectations across all aspects of food safety management. Key areas of focus include:

• HACCP-Based Risk Management: Development, implementation, and verification of a robust Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system tailored to the facility’s processes and products.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs): Enhanced sanitation, hygiene, and process controls across production zones.
• Allergen Control: Detailed procedures for allergen identification, segregation, cleaning, labeling, and validation.
• Traceability & Recall: Full product traceability systems, mock recall exercises, and recall readiness.
• Food Defense & Food Fraud: Risk-based programs for intentional adulteration and economically motivated adulteration.
• Internal Audits and Corrective Actions: Structured auditing procedures and root cause analysis for continuous improvement.

These areas are supported by additional expectations around document control, employee training, verification, supplier compliance, and management accountability.

Benefits of Certifying to the SQF Food Safety Code

Achieving certification at this level positions your business as a reliable, globally recognized supplier. Benefits include:

• Increased market access with buyers who require GFSI certification
• Streamlined regulatory inspections, including FSMA readiness
• Improved operational consistency across shifts and facilities
• Structured approach to risk management and preventive controls
• Stronger documentation systems for audit and recall preparedness

Facilities often report reduced customer complaints, better internal communication, and more efficient corrective actions after certifying to the Food Safety Code.

What Makes This Code Unique?

Unlike some GFSI-benchmarked schemes, SQF places a strong emphasis on audit readiness and system ownership. This means that:

• Unannounced audits are part of the standard requirement
• Employees at all levels are expected to understand and participate in the food safety system
• Senior leadership must demonstrate active commitment to food safety culture

In this way, the Food Safety Code supports not only technical compliance but also behavioral accountability across the organization.

Pro Tip: Success at this level often comes down to culture. Facilities that embed SQF principles into training, hiring, and daily operations find certification easier to maintain year over year.

Positioning for Growth and Continuous Improvement

While the Food Safety Code is already a high bar, many companies view it as a launchpad to even greater operational excellence. Once this level is achieved, facilities may consider:

• Adding the SQF Quality Code to target product consistency and efficiency
• Developing multi-site programs for enterprise-level supply chain management
• Leveraging SQF data for strategic KPIs tied to safety and performance

This certification level is not just a badge—it’s an integrated system that drives smarter, safer, and more agile food production.