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SQFI Info Sheets

SQF Food Safety Code for Food Retail

Protect Shoppers, Safeguard Brands, Meet Retailer Expectations

The SQF Food Safety Code for Food Retail helps food retailers implement a robust, GFSI-recognized food safety management system across in-store operations.

Benefits

Certification to the SQF Food Safety Code for Food Retail delivers measurable value across food safety, compliance, and operational consistency. 

Earn your certification to:

  • Enhance brand credibility with a globally recognized, GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification
  • Reduce food safety risk through a HACCP-based food safety plan tailored to retail environments 
  • Standardize food safety practices across departments and locations with documented, auditable processes
  • Strengthen supplier and brand trust by demonstrating rigorous in-store food safety controls
  • Improve operational efficiency through clearer procedures, employee training, and corrective action tracking

Eligibility

Companies eligible for SQF Food Retail certification include food retail operations that handle, prepare, or sell food directly to consumers and operate a HACCP-based food safety system supported by prerequisite programs such as sanitation, allergen management, supplier approval, and traceability. 

Eligible operations include:

  • Grocery and supermarket chains 
  • Specialty and natural food retailers 
  • Convenience stores 
  • Club stores and warehouse retailers 
  • Retail operations with in-store food preparation (deli, bakery, seafood, meat, produce, and prepared foods) 
Operations must be able to undergo third-party certification audits and demonstrate consistent implementation of food safety practices at the store or program level. 

Costs

SQF Food Retail certification is an investment in consistent, compliant, and brand-protective food safety operations. Costs vary based on store size, number of departments, and audit scope. 

Estimated costs include:

  • SQFI Registration Fee: Annual site or program registration typically ranges from $650–$800, depending on certification scope. 

  • Third-Party Audit Fees: Costs vary depending on store complexity, departments audited, and audit duration. Please contact your Certification Body for specific pricing.

 

Certification Process

SQF recommends a minimum of three months of documentation to demonstrate implementation. Please contact your Certification Body for specific timing. 

Selecting and Applying the SQF Food Retail Code 

Use the SQF Code Selector to ensure your site applies the right food safety requirements: 

  1. Identify your operation: Define store format, in-store departments, food handling activities, and operational systems. 
  2. Determine certification scope: Specify departments, processes, and products included in certification. 
  3. Apply relevant Food Retail Code elements: Implement applicable requirements, including HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, documentation, and records. 
  4. Prepare for certification using the selected SQF Food Retail Code. 

Steps to Certification

  1. Learn about the SQF Food Retail Code and certification requirements. 
  2. Register for SQF Food Retail Certification. 
  3. Prepare for your audit: 
  4. Conduct a GAP assessment and define an implementation plan. 
  5. Implement your food safety system, including documented procedures and records. 
  6. Verify readiness through internal audits and staff training. 
  7. Schedule and undergo the certification audit. 
  8. Address nonconformities and complete audit closeout. 
  9. Receive your SQF Food Retail certificate and maintain certification through surveillance and recertification audits.

Training

To achieve and sustain SQF Food Retail certification, store leadership and frontline teams must be trained to consistently apply HACCP principles, strong GMPs, and documented food safety practices in a high-traffic, consumer-facing environment. Training should emphasize practical execution on the floor, accountability across departments, and audit-ready recordkeeping. 

Courses include: 
  • The SQF Code: Understand the SQF Code, methodology, changes, and requirements. 
  • Internal Auditing: Learn how to implement a robust SQF internal audit program. 
  • Food Safety Culture: Address food safety culture expectations for SQF-certified sites. 
  • Approved Supplier Program: Explore how to implement an approved supplier program. 
  • Root Cause Analysis: Walk through the RCA process with tools. 
  • Corrective and Preventive Actions: An in-depth overview of the CAPA process and tools. 
  • Risk Assessment: Identify and mitigate food safety, food fraud, and food defense risk.

For more details and to access the full SQF Food Safety Code for Food Retail, visit: our SQF Food Safety Code for Food Retail page. 
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