Reviewed and Approved by Kaci Foote, FSNS Certification & Audit Accreditation Manager
1-Minute Summary
- SQF requires clear procedures and evidence that they are working as intended.
- SQF Edition 10 places greater emphasis on system effectiveness, Core Clauses, food safety culture, and change management.
- Sites must designate a primary and substitute SQF practitioner.
- Internal audits should verify implementation, employee competency, and how programs work together.
What to Expect During an SQF Certification Audit
Unlike some food safety standards that may focus more on policy, SQF emphasizes assigning responsibility, demonstrating control, and maintaining the system over time. Fulfilling these responsibilities is key to preparing for your SQF food safety certification audit.
Don’t be overwhelmed, however – if your site operates with food safety at its core, the audit becomes a formal review of what you already do. With the right preparation and focus, you can approach your SQF audit with confidence.
We provide steps for preparing for a successful SQF food safety audit.
Preparing during the Edition 10 transition? SQFI currently expects Edition 10 audits to begin January 2, 2027, contingent on completion of GFSI benchmarking. Confirm the applicable edition with your Certification Body when scheduling your audit.
Step 1: Choose the Right Code Based on Your Food Sector Category (FSC)
Your first step is determining which SQF Food Sector Category (FSC) applies to your facility. SQF divides its standards into industry-specific categories. Most food manufacturers fall under “Food Manufacturing,” but the others include:
- Primary Animal Production
- Primary Plant Production
- Aquaculture
- Animal Product Manufacturing
- Dietary Supplements
- Pet Food
- Animal Feed
- Manufacture of Food Packaging
- Storage & Distribution
- Food Retail
- Foodservice
- Quality
Choosing the FSC for your site determines which SQF Code you’ll follow, so it’s critical to select the right one before registering (the next step).
Step 2: Register and Appoint an SQF Practitioner
All sites pursuing SQF certification must register in the SQF database. This step officially starts your audit process.
Next, designate a primary SQF practitioner and a substitute practitioner to oversee your SQF System.
The practitioner acting as primary must be employed at the site and have HACCP-based training, knowledge of the applicable SQF Code, and competency to maintain the food safety system.
Formal SQF implementation training is not required by the Code, but it can help practitioners understand the requirements and audit process.
FSNS offers food safety training courses, both virtual (live, instructor-led) and in-person, so check our schedule.
Step 3: Write Detailed Procedures with Clear Responsibilities
SQF is especially focused on specific, actionable procedures. Every mandatory clause in the code ties methods to responsibilities.
This means that your SOPs must be specific and detail what must be done and by whom. In a cleaning SOP, for example, simply writing “Clean food contact surfaces daily” lacks necessary detail. Add information such as…
- Exact surfaces to be cleaned.
- Specific cleaning agents and tools.
- Frequency and sequence of cleaning.
- The job title(s) responsible for each task.
Some sites use generic templates from third-party programs and simply add their company name and a few other details. These tools are a good start, but your procedures must be tailored to your facility and verified on the production floor. Implementation is just as important as documentation.
Step 4: Understand Edition 10 Core Clauses and Scoring
Edition 10 introduces Core Clauses covering food safety controls considered especially important to system effectiveness.
For Food Manufacturing, Core Clauses include areas such as management commitment, approved suppliers, the food safety plan, environmental monitoring, corrective action, allergens, sanitation, and foreign material control.
Findings against Core Clauses carry greater scoring deductions:
- Minor: 1 point
- Core Clause minor: 2 points
- Major: 5 points
- Core Clause major: 7 points
- Critical: 50 points
Review the Core Clauses that apply to your Code and verify that each program is both documented and effectively implemented.
Step 5: Conduct a Gap Analysis and Internal Audit
An SQF gap analysis is essential to identify areas that need improvement before the audit. Start with a desk audit of reviewing the standard and comparing your site’s procedures and processes.
Pair your gap analysis with an internal audit that tests whether the SQF System works in practice.
- Compare written procedures with actual plant practices.
- Review records, corrective actions, training, and verification activities.
- Interview employees about their food safety responsibilities.
- Follow audit trails across related programs.
- Review trends for recurring problems or weak controls.
Edition 10 also introduces a stronger vertical audit approach. An auditor may follow a product through receiving, production, storage, and distribution while reviewing related programs and records.
Practice this during your internal audit. The goal is to prove that your programs work together, not simply that the documents exist.
Step 6: Consider Including the Optional Quality Code
The SQF Quality Code is optional but highly recommended for companies aiming for a comprehensive system that includes both food safety and quality.
Adding it:
- Reinforces commitment to continuous improvement.
- Strengthens product quality systems.
- Allows use of the SQF Quality Shield in marketing.
If your products rely on consistent quality as much as safety, the Quality Code is worth pursuing.
Step 7: Final SQF Certification Audit Readiness Check
In the final week before your SQF certification audit, shift into maintenance mode. You should be verifying systems, not creating them at the last minute.
Take these steps:
- Are procedures, records, and risk assessments current and accessible?
- Have applicable Edition 10 changes been incorporated into your system?
- Have you reviewed your Core Clauses?
- Are internal-audit corrective actions closed and verified?
- Can employees explain and demonstrate their responsibilities?
- Have you tested at least one product or process using a vertical audit approach?
- Have significant operational changes been evaluated through change management?
- A facility that’s audit-ready every day doesn’t need to panic the day before.
Prepare for Your SQF Certification Audit and… Relax!
An SQF certification audit is your opportunity to demonstrate that food safety is embedded in how you work every day. Strong documentation matters, but Edition 10 places greater emphasis on implementation and effectiveness. If your procedures are followed, employees understand their roles, and your records support what happens on the floor, you will be better prepared for the audit.
For help with SQF readiness checks, internal audits, pre-assessments, or certification services, contact FSNS Certification & Audit. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Need proof? Find out how we conducted an SQF audit for Hilmar on short notice after their previous CB cancelled.
