From the Food Marketing Institute…
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) assumed the ownership today of the global Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification program through an agreement transferring ownership from the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia.
The SQF program offers a complete approach to managing the safety and quality of foods before they reach the retail market. SQF includes a safety standard, training, auditing and certification that enable a supplier to verify food has been produced, processed, prepared and handled in accordance with international standards.
SQF certification is a way suppliers can let retailers and wholesalers know that they manage their food safety and quality systems to the highest standards, including their ability to conform to globally recognized Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, along with country-specific regulations. Currently, more than 3,000 businesses in 16 countries have been certified as complying with SQF codes.
"The SQF system complements government programs and food industry initiatives, strengthens global food safety and trade, and offers consumers an extra measure of protection," said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. "Suppliers that become SQF certified will be in compliance with the most rigorous food safety standards worldwide. This system will enable suppliers to reduce costs and gain efficiencies through the use of an internationally recognized system that can eliminate duplicative audits. Retailers will be able to select those suppliers who have been audited and certified as an SQF business."
The SQF program is available to all food commodities, including produce, seafood, dairy, meat, and poultry. For the fresh produce industry, the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (UFFVA) has agreed to serve as the lead partner with FMI.
For more information, go to www.fmi.org.
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) assumed the ownership today of the global Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification program through an agreement transferring ownership from the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia.
The SQF program offers a complete approach to managing the safety and quality of foods before they reach the retail market. SQF includes a safety standard, training, auditing and certification that enable a supplier to verify food has been produced, processed, prepared and handled in accordance with international standards.
SQF certification is a way suppliers can let retailers and wholesalers know that they manage their food safety and quality systems to the highest standards, including their ability to conform to globally recognized Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, along with country-specific regulations. Currently, more than 3,000 businesses in 16 countries have been certified as complying with SQF codes.
"The SQF system complements government programs and food industry initiatives, strengthens global food safety and trade, and offers consumers an extra measure of protection," said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. "Suppliers that become SQF certified will be in compliance with the most rigorous food safety standards worldwide. This system will enable suppliers to reduce costs and gain efficiencies through the use of an internationally recognized system that can eliminate duplicative audits. Retailers will be able to select those suppliers who have been audited and certified as an SQF business."
The SQF program is available to all food commodities, including produce, seafood, dairy, meat, and poultry. For the fresh produce industry, the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association (UFFVA) has agreed to serve as the lead partner with FMI.
For more information, go to www.fmi.org.
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