SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food
The SQF (Safe Quality Food) Code Edition 9 (2020) is a GFSI-benchmarked food safety and quality management certification programme. Managed by the SQF Institute (a division of FMI — the Food Industry Association). Covers primary production, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and retail. Three certification levels: SQF Fundamentals (Level 1), SQF Food Safety (Level 2), and SQF Food Safety and Quality (Level 3). Applicable to all food industry sectors. Over 10,000 certified sites globally.
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Framework Domains (6)
Document Control and Training
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 2.2.1 | Document Control |
| 2.2.2 | Records |
| 2.9.1 | Food Safety Training Requirements |
| 2.9.2 | Training Program |
Food Safety Plan and HACCP
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 2.4.1 | Food Legislation |
| 2.4.2 | Food Safety Fundamentals |
| 2.4.3 | Food Safety Plan (HACCP) |
| 2.4.4 | Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment |
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 11.1 | Site and Premises Requirements |
| 11.2 | Cleaning and Sanitation |
| 11.3 | Personal Hygiene |
| 11.4 | Pest Prevention |
| 11.5 | Storage and Transport |
Management Commitment
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 2.1.1 | Management Policy |
| 2.1.2 | Management Responsibility |
| 2.1.3 | Food Safety and Quality Culture |
| 2.1.4 | Management Review |
| MC-1 | Senior Management Support |
| MC-2 | Compliance Culture |
| MC-3 | Dedicated Compliance Officer |
| MC-4 | Resource Allocation |
Product Traceability and Crisis Management
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 2.6.1 | Product Identification and Traceability |
| 2.6.2 | Product Withdrawal and Recall |
| 2.7.1 | Food Defence Plan |
| 2.7.2 | Food Fraud Plan |
| 2.8.1 | Allergen Management |
SQF System Verification
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 2.5.1 | Validation and Effectiveness |
| 2.5.2 | Verification Activities |
| 2.5.3 | Corrective and Preventive Action |
| 2.5.4 | Product Sampling, Inspection, and Analysis |
Maps to 607 other frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food?
SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food is a compliance framework from International (GFSI-benchmarked) with 6 domains and 30 controls. The SQF (Safe Quality Food) Code Edition 9 (2020) is a GFSI-benchmarked food safety and quality management certification programme. Managed by the SQF Institute (a division of FMI — the Food Industry Association). Covers primary production, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and retail. Three certification levels: SQF Fundamentals (Level 1), SQF Food Safety (Level 2), and SQF Food Safety and Quality (Level 3). Applicable to all food industry sectors. Over 10,000 certified sites globally. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food have?
SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food has 30 controls organised across 6 domains. The largest domains are Management Commitment (8 controls), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) (5 controls), Product Traceability and Crisis Management (5 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food map to?
SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food maps to 607 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are AS9100D — Aerospace Quality Management System (27% coverage), ISO/IEC 27003:2017 (27% coverage), AS9100D:2016 — Quality Management Systems for Aviation, Space, and Defence (27% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food compliance?
Start your SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about SQF Code Edition 9 — Safe Quality Food requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 30 controls and track your progress.
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