Our Training Programs
World-class professional certification courses in Food Safety, Quality, Science, Technology & Agriculture
About This Course
The SQF Food Safety Code Implementation & Certification Training Course is a comprehensive, competency-based, industry-focused programme designed to equip food industry professionals with the knowledge, practical skills, and implementation strategies required to establish, maintain, and continually improve Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) in accordance with the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Food Safety Code. Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF Code integrates HACCP, prerequisite programmes, quality management, and risk-based controls to achieve world-class food safety and operational excellence. This intensive course provides practical guidance on implementing SQF system requirements, supplier assurance, food safety culture, internal auditing, and certification readiness. Special emphasis is placed on successfully transitioning from SQF Edition 9 to Edition 10, including gap assessments, documentation updates, new Code requirements, and implementation planning. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and audit simulations, participants develop the capability to achieve certification, strengthen compliance, improve audit performance, and enhance customer confidence, supply chain integrity, and global market access.
What You’ll Learn
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the SQF Food Safety Code, GFSI benchmarking requirements, and the principles for implementing world-class food safety and quality management systems.
- Design, implement, and continually improve SQF-compliant Food Safety Management Systems by integrating HACCP, prerequisite programmes, supplier assurance, food safety culture, and risk-based operational controls.
- Conduct comprehensive gap assessments and develop effective migration strategies from SQF Edition 9 to Edition 10, ensuring seamless compliance and certification continuity.
- Apply best practices in internal auditing, performance evaluation, corrective action, and continual improvement to strengthen organizational food safety performance and audit readiness.
- Prepare organizations for successful SQF certification, surveillance, and recertification audits through robust documentation, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
Course Curriculum
- SQF Programme Architecture and GFSI Recognition
- SQF Edition 10 Structure and Key Requirements
- Business Value of SQF Certification
- SQF Certification Pathway and Governance
- Transitioning Successfully from SQF Edition 9 to Edition 10
- Management Commitment and Food Safety Leadership
- Food Safety & Quality Culture
- Food Safety Policies, Objectives, and Strategic Planning
- Documentation, Record Control, and Change Management
- Designing an Integrated SQF Management System
- SQF GMP Requirements and Operational Prerequisite Programmes
- Facility Design, Hygienic Zoning, and Infrastructure Controls
- Personnel Hygiene, Sanitation, and Environmental Controls
- Equipment Design, Maintenance, and Calibration
- Verification and Continuous Improvement of PRPs
- Hazard Identification and Food Safety Risk Assessment
- Hazard Evaluation and Preventive Control Measures
- Critical Control Points (CCPs), OPRPs, and Critical Limits
- Monitoring, Verification, Validation, and Reassessment
- Developing and Maintaining SQF Food Safety Plans
- Supplier Approval, Qualification, and Risk Classification
- Raw Material, Packaging, and Ingredient Control
- Supplier Performance Monitoring and Verification
- Supply Chain Risk Management and Traceability
- Approved Supplier Programmes and Continuous Improvement
- Product Quality Planning and Specification Management
- Food Defense Threat Assessment and Mitigation
- Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessment and Prevention
- Product Labelling, Packaging Integrity, and Regulatory Compliance
- Product Recall, Withdrawal, and Crisis Management
- Environmental Monitoring Programme (EMP) Design
- Environmental Sampling, Trending, and Corrective Actions
- Allergen Risk Assessment and Cross-Contact Prevention
- Process Control, Product Release, and Verification Activities
- Environmental and Allergen Compliance Best Practices
- Risk-Based Internal Audit Planning and Execution
- Audit Interviewing, Evidence Collection, and Reporting
- Non-Conformity Management and Corrective Action
- Food Safety and Quality KPIs, Data Analytics, and Trend Analysis
- Management Review and System Performance Evaluation
- Root Cause Analysis and Structured Problem Solving
- Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Systems
- Lean Manufacturing and Waste Reduction Principles
- Operational Risk Management and Process Optimization
- Building a High-Performance Food Safety and Quality Culture
- Developing SQF Documentation and Standard Operating Procedures
- Document Control, Record Management, and Data Integrity
- Digital Food Safety Management Systems and Automation
- Compliance Dashboards, KPI Reporting, and Performance Analytics
- Documentation Readiness for SQF Certification
- SQF Certification Process and Audit Lifecycle
- Preparing for Certification, Surveillance, and Recertification Audits
- Gap Assessments and Certification Readiness Reviews
- Managing Audit Findings and Certification Success
- Maintaining SQF Certification and Driving Continual Compliance
- Comprehensive SQF Gap Assessment Workshop
- Edition 9 to Edition 10 Migration Planning and Implementation
- Designing an Integrated SQF Food Safety & Quality Management System
- Full Certification Audit Simulation and Executive Review
- Developing an Organizational SQF Excellence Roadmap and Action Plan
Who Should Attend
- Food Safety, HACCP, Quality Assurance, and SQF Practitioners responsible for implementing and managing Food Safety Management Systems.
- Production Managers, Technical Managers, Operations Leaders, Plant Supervisors, and Manufacturing Professionals overseeing food safety and quality.
- Regulatory Affairs, Compliance Officers, Internal Auditors, Certification Coordinators, and Continuous Improvement Professionals.
- Supplier Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Packaging, and Distribution Professionals supporting food safety throughout the supply chain.
- Food manufacturers, processors, ingredient suppliers, consultants, trainers, and organizations seeking SQF certification or transitioning from SQF Edition 9 to Edition 10.
Prerequisites
- Participants should have a basic understanding of food manufacturing, food processing, quality assurance, food safety, HACCP principles, or operational management within the food supply chain. Familiarity with Food Safety Management Systems, GMP, or SQF requirements is beneficial but not essential.
- No prior SQF certification or formal training is required. This programme is suitable for both new and experienced professionals seeking to implement, manage, audit, or transition Food Safety Management Systems to the SQF Food Safety Code, including migration from SQF Edition 9 to Edition 10.
Key Benefits
- Establish and maintain SQF Food Safety Management Systems that meet GFSI-recognized certification requirements and international customer expectations.
- Successfully transition from SQF Edition 9 to Edition 10 through structured implementation planning, gap assessments, and documentation alignment.
- Strengthen food safety governance, supplier assurance, operational controls, and risk management across the entire food supply chain.
- Enhance certification readiness, audit performance, regulatory compliance, and customer confidence through robust food safety management practices.
- Improve organizational resilience, global market access, brand reputation, and continuous improvement by embedding a culture of food safety and quality excellence.
Delivery Technique
- Expert-led facilitation integrating SQF Food Safety Code requirements, GFSI expectations, and industry best practices.
- Interactive implementation workshops covering SQF system development, Edition 9 to Edition 10 migration, and documentation design.
- Practical case studies, risk assessment exercises, and real-world food safety implementation scenarios.
- Internal audit simulations, gap assessments, and certification readiness exercises aligned with SQF audit requirements.
- Collaborative problem-solving sessions with facilitator coaching to support effective workplace implementation and continual improvement.