SQF means Safe Quality Food. The SQF Program is a fully integrated food safety and quality management protocol designed specifically for the food sector. It has been the culmination of 10 years development and is designed specifically for the food industry with application at all links in the food supply chain.

SQF Certification provides an independent and external validation that a product, process or service complies with international, regulatory and other specified standard(s) and enables a food supplier to give assurances that food has been produced, prepared and handled according to the highest possible standards.

The SQF Codes, based on universally accepted CODEX Alimentarius HACCP Guidelines, offers the food sector a way to manage food safety and quality simultaneously.

The SQF 1000 Code is designed specifically for primary producers. In addition to GAP's a producer develops and maintains Food Safety and Food Quality Plans to control those aspects of their operations that are critical to maintaining food safety and quality.

The SQF 2000 Code has wide appeal across the food manufacturing and distribution sectors. In addition to GMP's a supplier develops and maintains Food Safety and Food Quality Plans to control those aspects of their operations that are critical to maintaining food safety and quality.

A number of modules provided as voluntary options to suppliers whose markets require additional assurances for matters in addition to food safety and quality have also been developed to support the SQF program. They include Worker Welfare, Environment, Animal Care and Food Security.

SQF is designed to support industry or company branded products. Suppliers design and implement customised management systems to demonstrate equivalence with GAP/GMP and other best practice programs. Achieving SQF certification is an external verification of a supplier's commitment to producing safe, quality food.

The SQF Program is owned by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). At the request of its retail members FMI acquired SQF so they could utilize one program that met their requirements and at the same time provided efficiencies for suppliers. SQF (the SQF 1000 Code and 2000 Code) is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative as conforming to the highest international standards and utilizes protocols administered by International Accreditation Forum member Accreditation Bodies.

The SQF program has been implemented by over 5000 companies operating in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, United States, Europe and South America. Registered SQF Experts and SQF Auditors are implementing and auditing SQF systems around the world.

The SQF Program is rigorous, flexible and complements government programs and industry initiatives. It also avoids the duplication and confusion associated with the current array of industry sector programs. SQF certification provides benefit and value. It is:

• a tool to build confidence and trust between retailers and suppliers
• the enabling tool for producers and manufacturers to demonstrate "due diligence" and compliance with regulatory and product traceability requirements
• an internationally recognized standard, suitable for all food suppliers operating in domestic and global markets
• a means to reduce the number and frequency of inconsistent and costly audits
• a proven way for suppliers to gain an advantage over their non-certified competitors and to increase profits by aligning their products to retailer/consumer requirements
• a management system that promotes cost efficiencies through waste reduction and "one system, one audit"; and
• a structure for implementing and demonstrating sustainable production and manufacturing best practices.

The SQF Institute is a Division established by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) to manage the SQF Program. An FMI Advisory Board provides overall policy advice, guidance and direction to the SQF Institute.

The Technical Committee, a team of food safety and quality specialists, reviews the SQF Program and makes recommendations on improvements to the Codes, the training materials and the implementation, audit and certification requirements.