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SQF (Safe Quality Food) is a food safety and quality certification program used by food businesses to demonstrate that they have implemented structured systems for managing food safety and quality.
SQF is particularly relevant to food manufacturers, processors, packaging operations, distributors, and other organizations whose customers or supply-chain partners require a GFSI-recognized certification.
For Canadian food businesses, SQF certification can help demonstrate that food safety controls are systematically implemented, documented, verified, and maintained.
This guide explains what SQF certification is, how the SQF Code works, the certification process, SQF audits, the role of an SQF practitioner, certification costs, and how Arnika can help Canadian food businesses prepare.
Reviewed by Reza Eslami
CEO & Co-Founder, Arnika | 25+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, HACCP, GMP, SFCR, SQF, BRCGS, and food safety management systems.
What Is SQF Certification?
SQF stands for Safe Quality Food.
SQF is a certification program developed for organizations involved in the food supply chain. It provides requirements for establishing and maintaining food safety and, where applicable, quality management systems.
SQF certification involves an independent third-party audit against the applicable SQF Code requirements.
SQF is recognized within the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarking framework. The GFSI connection is particularly important for food businesses whose customers or retailers require a GFSI-recognized certification.
You can learn more about GFSI and other recognized certification programs in our main GFSI Certification Guide.
Why Is SQF Certification Important?
SQF certification may be relevant when customers, retailers, brand owners, or other supply-chain partners require a recognized food safety certification.
Businesses may pursue SQF certification to:
- Meet customer or retailer requirements
- Demonstrate systematic food safety controls
- Strengthen food safety and quality management
- Support supply-chain requirements
- Prepare for domestic or international customers
- Establish documented verification and corrective-action processes
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement
SQF certification does not replace Canadian legal requirements. Food businesses must continue to comply with applicable federal, provincial, and municipal regulations.
For Canadian food manufacturers and importers, SQF should therefore be considered alongside requirements such as the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and applicable preventive control requirements.
What Does the SQF Code Cover?
The applicable SQF Code establishes requirements for food safety systems and, depending on the applicable code and scope, quality-related controls.
Key areas may include:
Management Responsibility
Management is responsible for establishing appropriate food safety policies, objectives, resources, and responsibilities.
Food Safety Management System
The organization must establish and maintain documented systems for managing food safety risks.
HACCP-Based Food Safety Planning
The food safety system includes hazard analysis and controls based on HACCP principles.
Arnika can also help businesses develop and strengthen their HACCP systems before pursuing certification.
Prerequisite Programs
Prerequisite programs provide the foundation for controlling environmental and operational food safety hazards.
These may include:
- Sanitation
- Personnel hygiene
- Pest control
- Preventive maintenance
- Supplier management
- Allergen controls
- Chemical control
- Water and utilities
- Waste management
- Storage and transportation
Strong GMP programs and prerequisite programs are therefore an important part of certification readiness.
Traceability and Recall
Food businesses need systems capable of tracing materials and products and responding effectively to food safety incidents and recalls.
Verification and Internal Audits
Organizations need appropriate verification activities to determine whether their food safety system is operating as intended.
Corrective and Preventive Actions
When problems or non-conformities are identified, the organization must investigate the issue and implement appropriate corrective action.
SQF Code Edition 10
SQFI released SQF Code Edition 10 in March 2026. The new edition introduces changes intended to improve clarity, audit consistency, risk management, and the implementation of food safety systems.
However, Canadian businesses preparing for certification should pay close attention to the transition timeline.
SQFI currently states that audits to Edition 10 are anticipated to begin on January 2, 2027, subject to completion of the GFSI benchmarking process. Until Edition 10 is recognized by GFSI, Edition 9 remains the GFSI-recognized program.
Businesses preparing for future SQF certification should therefore determine which edition applies to their planned audit and monitor SQFI’s transition requirements.
What Is an SQF Audit?
An SQF audit is an independent assessment of a site’s food safety system against the applicable SQF Code requirements.
The audit can include assessment of:
- Food safety documentation
- HACCP plans
- Prerequisite programs
- GMP implementation
- Employee practices
- Facility conditions
- Sanitation
- Traceability
- Recall procedures
- Supplier controls
- Records and verification activities
- Corrective actions
- Implementation of the food safety system
The certification audit is conducted by an appropriate independent certification body rather than by the SQF consultant.
How to Achieve SQF Certification
The certification process generally involves several important stages.
Step 1: Determine Your SQF Scope
First, determine the appropriate food sector category, products, processes, site boundaries, and applicable SQF Code requirements.
The correct scope is important because SQF requirements depend on the activities and products covered by the certification.
Step 2: Conduct an SQF Gap Assessment
Compare your existing food safety system against the applicable SQF requirements.
A gap assessment may identify weaknesses in:
- HACCP
- GMP
- Prerequisite programs
- Documentation
- Training
- Traceability
- Supplier approval
- Internal audits
- Corrective actions
- Verification
Step 3: Develop or Update the Food Safety System
The organization then addresses identified gaps and develops or updates the required procedures, programs, forms, and records.
Step 4: Implement the System
Documentation alone is not enough.
Employees must understand their responsibilities, procedures must be implemented, and the organization needs to generate objective records demonstrating that the system is operating effectively.
Step 5: Conduct Internal Audits
Internal audits help identify problems before the certification audit.
A properly conducted food safety audit can help verify that procedures are actually being followed.
Step 6: Correct Identified Gaps
Any non-conformities or weaknesses should be investigated and corrected before the certification audit.
Step 7: Select a Certification Body
The certification audit is performed by an independent certification body qualified to conduct SQF certification audits.
Step 8: Complete the Certification Audit
The auditor evaluates the documented system and its implementation at the site.
Step 9: Address Non-Conformities
If findings are identified, the organization must respond according to the applicable SQF certification requirements.
Step 10: Maintain Certification
Certification requires ongoing maintenance of the food safety system and continued compliance with applicable SQF requirements.
What Is an SQF Practitioner?
An SQF practitioner is the person responsible for managing and maintaining the site’s SQF food safety system.
The practitioner plays an important role in:
- Maintaining the food safety system
- Coordinating HACCP activities
- Managing documentation
- Coordinating internal audits
- Monitoring corrective actions
- Supporting employee training
- Preparing for certification audits
- Communicating food safety requirements within the organization
SQFI’s current requirements for the SQF Practitioner include specific competency and knowledge requirements. These requirements should be checked against the applicable SQF Code and current SQFI guidance.
It is also important to distinguish the SQF Practitioner role required by the SQF Code from SQFI’s newer voluntary Certified SQF Practitioner credential. The voluntary credential does not replace the SQF Code requirements for the practitioner role.
What Is an SQF Consultant?
An SQF consultant is an external professional who helps a food business prepare for and maintain its SQF system.
An SQF consultant may assist with:
- Gap assessments
- HACCP development
- GMP and prerequisite programs
- SQF documentation
- Employee training
- Internal audits
- Mock audits
- Corrective-action planning
- Certification-readiness assessments
A consultant does not issue the SQF certificate. Certification is determined through the independent certification process.
How Much Does SQF Certification Cost?
There is no single SQF certification price that applies to every business.
The total cost depends on factors such as:
- Size of the facility
- Number of employees
- Number of production lines
- Product and process complexity
- Certification scope
- Existing food safety systems
- Amount of documentation required
- Training requirements
- Certification-body fees
- Consulting requirements
- Time required to prepare for the audit
Therefore, published generic cost ranges can be misleading.
For a new certification project, businesses should consider at least three categories of expense:
Certification and Audit Costs
Fees charged by the independent certification body.
Training Costs
Training for the SQF practitioner, internal auditors, employees, and other personnel as applicable.
Consulting and Implementation Costs
External assistance may be required for gap assessments, HACCP, GMP, documentation, training, mock audits, and implementation.
For a Canadian food business, the best approach is to obtain a project-specific estimate based on the scope and current level of readiness.
SQF Certification vs Other GFSI-Recognized Standards
SQF is one of several certification programs recognized within the GFSI framework.
Other programs include standards such as:
- BRCGS
- FSSC 22000
- IFS
- SQF
The appropriate certification depends on factors such as:
- Customer requirements
- Retailer requirements
- Target market
- Product category
- Supply-chain expectations
- Existing management systems
- Certification scope
If you are comparing certification programs, see our GFSI Certification Guide.
You can also read our supporting guides:
How Arnika Helps With SQF Certification
Arnika provides food safety consulting and SQF certification-readiness support for food businesses across Canada.
Our services can include:
- SQF gap assessments
- HACCP development and review
- GMP and prerequisite-program assessment
- SQF documentation development
- Food safety training
- Internal audits
- Mock audits
- Corrective-action support
- Certification-readiness assessments
Our approach is focused on helping businesses develop systems that are implemented in practice—not simply creating documents for an audit.
Learn more about our Food Safety Consulting Services.
SQF Certification in Canada
Canadian food manufacturers, processors, packers, and other food businesses may pursue SQF certification when it is required or commercially valuable for their customers and supply chains.
Arnika provides remote and on-site food safety consulting support across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and other locations.
Our support can be tailored to businesses that are:
- Starting an SQF system
- Preparing for their first certification audit
- Transitioning or updating an existing SQF system
- Preparing for a recertification audit
- Addressing audit findings
- Strengthening their HACCP, GMP, and prerequisite programs
Conclusion
SQF certification provides a structured framework for managing food safety and, where applicable, quality requirements throughout the food supply chain.
Successful certification requires more than preparing documentation. A business must demonstrate that its food safety system is implemented, employees understand their responsibilities, records are maintained, and controls are effectively verified.
With SQF Edition 10 now available, businesses preparing for future certification should also understand the transition timeline and determine which SQF Code edition applies to their certification audit. SQFI currently anticipates Edition 10 audits beginning January 2, 2027, subject to GFSI benchmarking.
Arnika can help Canadian food businesses assess their readiness, strengthen HACCP, GMP and prerequisite programs, conduct internal or mock audits, and prepare for an independent SQF certification audit.
Need help preparing for SQF certification?
Contact Arnika’s food safety consulting team to discuss your SQF certification project.
SQF Certification FAQs
What does SQF stand for?
SQF stands for Safe Quality Food. It is a food safety and quality certification program used by organizations throughout the food supply chain.
Is SQF certification recognized by GFSI?
SQF has been a GFSI-recognized certification program. Currently, SQF Code Edition 9 is the GFSI-recognized program while Edition 10 is undergoing the applicable benchmarking process.
Is SQF certification required in Canada?
SQF certification is not a universal legal requirement for Canadian food businesses. However, customers, retailers, brand owners, and supply-chain partners may require SQF or another GFSI-recognized certification.
What is an SQF audit?
An SQF audit is an independent assessment of a site’s food safety system against the applicable SQF Code requirements.
What is an SQF practitioner?
An SQF practitioner is the person responsible for managing and maintaining the site’s SQF food safety system. The applicable SQF Code establishes requirements for the practitioner role.
How long does SQF certification take?
The timeline varies significantly depending on the site’s size, complexity, existing food safety system, certification scope, documentation, employee training, and audit readiness.
How much does SQF certification cost?
There is no universal SQF certification cost. The total expense depends on certification-body fees, training, consulting, facility requirements, system development, and the complexity of the certification scope.
Can Arnika help with SQF certification?
Yes. Arnika provides SQF gap assessments, HACCP and GMP support, prerequisite-program development, documentation assistance, employee training, internal audits, mock audits, and certification-readiness consulting.
What is the difference between SQF and BRCGS?
SQF and BRCGS are different food safety certification programs within the GFSI framework. The appropriate program depends on customer requirements, market expectations, certification scope, and the organization’s needs.
What is SQF Edition 10?
SQF Edition 10 is the latest edition of the SQF Code, released in March 2026. SQFI currently anticipates that audits against Edition 10 will begin January 2, 2027, subject to completion of GFSI benchmarking.