In-Person Training

Course Description
Food manufacturing companies new to food safety or those with underdeveloped food safety systems will be guided through an exploration of the components of seven foundational programs that, along with their food safety plan, make up the SQF Fundamentals Code: product specifications, facility construction and maintenance, sanitation, personal hygiene and cross-contamination, approved suppliers, product identification and traceability and the internal audit plan.

Pre-requisites:
Those individuals who have not completed a HACCP or PCQI class will not be at disadvantage; however, it is understood that development of either plan is addressed through a separate course.

Course objectives:

• Understand the aim of the SQF Fundamentals Program
• Understand the aim of the SQF Program and the steps to certification
• Prepare raw and packaging materials specifications
• Develop finished product specifications
• Identify and rank ingredient and materials suppliers
• Develop criteria to approve suppliers
• Prevent the contamination of product from the premises
• Identify how equipment can be a source of product contamination
• Create a Maintenance-Control Schedule
• Identify the laws that impact the safe operation of the premises and the production of food
• Manage and prevent product contamination with an effective sanitation program
• Create a zone map to demonstrate how environmental pathogens can impact product safety
• Determine the hygiene and behavior requirements for food handlers in food manufacturing facilities
• Determine the key components of an employee hygiene plan
• Describe the requirements for Identifying product within its process
• Describe the requirements for identifying finished products
• Describe the basic components of traceability
• Prepare for a recall
• Determine the key components of an internal audit plan

The first step in achieving SQF certification is to clearly understand the SQF Food Safety Code. The Implementing SQF System course is designed for those individuals, such as the SQF practitioner, responsible for developing, aligning, verifying, maintaining, and otherwise supporting the site’s SQF food safety System and its culture of food safety.

With a focus on continuous improvement, practical activities provide attendees the opportunity to align their existing programs with the SQF Code and build skills that will enable an environment where food safety is a top priority.

It is recommended that participants have successfully completed a HACCP training course meeting the definition found in the Glossary of the SQF Code, edition 9 before attending this course.

Course Objectives
• Improve or algin existing food safety programs to reflect the requirements of the SQF Food Safety Code.
• Understand the interconnectedness of the SQF programs and how each contributes to an SQF System supported by a culture of food safety.
• Outline actions to ensure the success of the SQF System.
• Classroom-based instruction is offered by registered SQF Trainers working with licensed SQF Training Centers who offer the 2-day class.

Course Description:
In 2018 SQFI introduced the SQF Quality Code as part of the edition 8 suite of SQF standards. The SQF Quality Code incorporates the quality management principles necessary to achieve customer requirements and continuously improve quality and productivity.
This one-day course is ideal for those already familiar with quality management principles, such as SQF quality practitioners or SQF quality auditors, but who need to understand how to apply quality tools in the implementation of the SQF Quality Code. The course will address the impact of quality parameters on the site’s product and operation, assist sites in understanding how the SQF Quality Code aligns with food safety and allow learners to apply quality tools and techniques to implementation of the SQF Quality Code.

Pre-requisites:
Candidates must have successfully completed a HACCP training course meeting the SQFI definition, and either Implementing SQF Systems training or Auditing SQF Systems/Lead SQF Auditor training.

Course Objectives:
This course will help learners to:
• Explain the product quality parameters within the food industry sector or site;
• Apply the HACCP method to identify significant quality threats and how to monitor and control them;
• Understand the use and application of quality measurement tools; and
• Apply the PDCA cycle to improve quality outcomes.

The Advanced SQF Practitioner Course is designed for the current SQF practitioner seeking further information on how to improve and maintain the site’s SQF System.

Through activity-based instruction, the course
• provides the tools practitioners need to use the internal audit program to manage, maintain and enhance the site’s SQF System;
• harness the corrective action/preventive action process to identify trends and build continuous improvement;
• communicate with senior management to more fully define the site’s commitment to food safety;
• and develop and prioritize key performance indicators to assure continuous improvement of the SQF System.

To ensure the practitioner obtains an optimal learning experience and fully benefits from this course, it is recommended that participants complete the following prerequisites prior to attending the course:
• at least one successful (C-complies rating or higher) SQF certification/ recertification process as the designated SQF practitioner
• a HACCP training class that includes a final assessment
• the Implementing SQF Systems examination

The two-day Advanced SQF Practitioner course is offered exclusively through approved trainers who can offer the course around the world and in your facility

This competency-based course provides prospective SQF technical reviewers and auditors with the foundational knowledge of the SQF Food Safety Code. The course is based on the lead auditing principles documented in ISO 19011 and the technical elements of the SQF Food Safety Code.

Participants of this course will master:
• the steps and components of an SQF food safety certification audit;
• organize and lead an SQF food safety certification audit;
• objectively assess a food safety system and determine conformance and non-conformance to the SQF Food Safety Code; write clear and concise objective evidence;
• respectfully communicate with the auditee and the auditor on behalf of the certification body;
• appropriately demonstrate the principles of auditing as outlined in ISO 19011;
• understand the SQF auditor registration criteria.

Please note that the Auditing SQF Systems course is exclusively offered by SQFI.

The Auditing the SQF Code Requirements course will provide prospective registered SQF certification auditors with an understanding of how to apply auditing principles when auditing the SQF Code for site certification.

In this course, you will:
• Gain a clear understanding of the assessment of the SQF Food Safety Code
• Describe the differences among second party, third party, and third-party accredited audits
• Identify the benefits of third-party accredited certification and GFSI benchmarking
• Review the expectations and key competencies required for registration as an SQF Food Safety Auditor
• Review the personal behaviors required of a food safety auditor
• Review, practice, and confirm your interviewing and report writing skills
• Learn the steps to register to become an SQF Food Safety auditor
 
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Please note that the Auditing the SQF Code Requirements course is exclusively offered by SQFI.