SQF Edition 10 Updates (Proposed)

Attending SQF Unites 2025 in Orlando was an incredible experience. It’s always exciting to connect and reconnect with industry peers, but this year felt different. The conversations weren’t just about updates—they were about real concerns, real challenges, and how these changes will impact food facilities across the board.

One thing that stood out to me? The shift in grading. At first, I didn’t think much of it—it’s just a new way to categorize audit results, right? But hearing firsthand how some facilities are struggling to interpret and prepare for these changes made me realize: what seems small on paper can be a big deal in practice.

If your facility is SQF-certified or preparing for certification, these changes WILL affect you. Let’s break them down.

1. No More SQF Scores—New Grading System Explained

Say goodbye to audit scores—SQF suggests moving to a pass/fail-style grading system in the proposal. Instead of aiming for a high score, your facility will now maybe categorized as:

✅ Compliant – 80 and above
🔄 Surveillance Required – 70-79

❌ Fail – 70 and below

Score will not be displayed.

Why This Matters to You?

• No more “almost excellent” scores
• More weight on compliance as a whole rather than tallying points.

What Can You Do to Prepare for SQF Ed. 10 Changes??

✔️ Treat all non-conformances seriously—don’t assume minor issues won’t impact your grade.
✔️ Conduct mock audits based on the new system so you’re prepared.
✔️ If you’ve had past non-conformances, revisit and reinforce corrective actions now.

Weighter for SQF Module 2 Non-Compliances

• Multipliers for Module 2 non-compliances at 1.75x.
• Repeat non-conformances, which were always considered major, will now be enforced more consistently.
• Auditors will be trained to stricter enforcement for multiple minors (graded as major) and repeat issues.

Why This Matters to You?

• A single Module 2 issue can now have a bigger impact on your audit outcome, due to the weighting possibility

What Can You Do to Prepare for SQF Ed. 10 Changes?

✔️ Conduct a deep-dive internal audit on Module 2 compliance before your next SQF audit.
✔️ Review past audit reports—if you’ve had repeat issues in the past, assume they will be enforced as major this time.

3. Food Safety Culture Plan—Now a Formal Requirement

Food safety culture is not new but… we are talking about food safety culture plan now.

What is required exactly? We will need to wait to see the Part B of SQF changes.

Why This Matters to You?

• It’s no longer just about saying “we have a strong food safety culture”—you must prove it.

What Can You Do to Prepare for SQF Ed. 10 Changes??

✔️ Check the Part B Changes requirements that will be open for public comments in April 2025

If you don’t already have one, research and create a documented food safety culture plan.
✔️ Make food safety culture visible—hold food safety awareness meetings, reinforce key messages, and involve leadership.
✔️ Track engagement—log attendance, discussions, and participation in food safety initiatives.

4. Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA) – Structured Methods Required

CAPA has always been a requirement, but SQF Edition 10 will potentially demand a more structured approach.

CAPA process is part of our current SQF system but it is more about ensuring root cause analysis are properly done. If you don’t have a good root cause analysis, you will not be able to fix the issues.

Popular CAPA methods include:

• 5 Whys – Ask “why” five times to identify the root cause.
• Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa) – Visually map out possible root causes.
• FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis) – Identify risks and prioritize corrective actions.

These are some examples of CAPA methods.

Why This Matters to You?

• Auditors won’t just look at whether you corrected a problem—they’ll ask how you analyzed and prevented recurrence.
• If you lack a structured CAPA process, you risk non-compliance.

What Can You Do to Prepare for SQF Ed. 10 Changes?

✔️ Choose a CAPA method that works for your facility and train your team.
✔️ Document every step—from root cause analysis to corrective actions.
✔️ Follow up on CAPAs to prove effectiveness.

5. Streamlining of Training, CAPA, and Record-Keeping Requirements

SQF is consolidating training, CAPA, and record-keeping requirements  into more structured requirements to remove duplication.

Why This Matters to You?

• Hopefully less confusion, but stricter standards—auditors will expect consistency.

What Can You Do to Prepare for SQF Ed. 10 Changes??

✔️ Review your documentation system to ensure training, CAPA, and records are aligned with new expectations.
✔️ Train employees on new requirements so they understand what’s expected.

6. Recognizing the FSPCA Training (Version 2) (But, the one with an Assessment)

SQF is proposing to recognizes FSPCA Training (Version 2) but with a new requirements:

• The training must include an assessment to be considered valid.

Why This Matters to You?

• If your facility relies on FSPCA training for compliance, you must verify that assessments are included.
• No assessment = non-compliance.

What Can You Do to Prepare for SQF Ed. 10 Changes?

✔️ Check with your FSPCA training provider to confirm that assessments are included.

Now Is Your Chance to Speak Up

The SQFI commenting system is now open, meaning if you have concerns or suggestions about these changes, now is the time to voice them.

🔹 What do you think about the new grading system?
🔹 Will these changes help or hurt your facility’s ability to maintain SQF certification?

Visit SQF website at https://www.sqfi.com/the-sqf-code/comply-with-the-code/public-comments  to comment about the changes you like to see or don’t want to see your voice matter.

Love to hear from you. Feel free to tag us on social media channel and let us know your thoughts. I will also personally work on supporting clients that are certified with SQF Ed 9 to transition smoothly to SQF Ed 10.