The certification that proves both food safety and food quality — to the retailers and brands that accept nothing less.
SQF is a GFSI-benchmarked scheme that certifies both food safety and food quality — the only major GFSI scheme that does both. It is the preferred standard of major North American retailers and increasingly required by global food brands.
Book a Gap AssessmentThe scope of SQF
- SQF food safety plan (HACCP-based)Develop a rigorous, SQF-compliant food safety plan covering every product and process within your certification scope.
- SQF quality planEstablish documented quality specifications, monitoring procedures, and customer requirements management — the quality layer that distinguishes SQF from other schemes.
- Good Manufacturing PracticesImplement the SQF code's GMP requirements — facility standards, pest control, allergen management, and personnel hygiene.
- System verification and validationBuild the verification and validation activities — internal audits, HACCP plan reviews, and product testing — that demonstrate your system is effective.
The business case
Major US and Canadian retailers including Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods require SQF certification from food suppliers.
SQF is the only major GFSI scheme that addresses food quality alongside food safety — satisfying comprehensive retailer expectations in one audit.
SQF is GFSI-benchmarked — certification is accepted by the world's largest food manufacturers and retailers as equivalent to other recognised schemes.
The SQF quality plan requirement drives documented quality standards across your operation — reducing variability, rejections, and customer complaints.
The certification journey
Most firms hand you a document pack and leave. We stay with you from gap assessment through certification — and beyond.
We audit your current operations against the standard's requirements and show you exactly where you stand.
We build your management system — policies, procedures, process maps — tailored to how your business actually works.
We work alongside your team on the ground to embed the system into daily operations and train your people to own it.
We run a full internal audit cycle, close any gaps, and make sure you're ready before the certification body arrives.
We support you through the certification audit — and stay available for surveillance prep and continuous improvement after.
Ready to get certified?
Book a gap assessment and we'll show you exactly what it takes.
Book a Gap Assessment