SQF Compliance Software for Food Manufacturers
QT9 QMS and QT9 ERP give you end-to-end controls to master food safety, quality and compliance, including Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. Maintain SQF compliance in one, integrated food safety management system.
Automate Food Safety
QT9 QMS and QT9 ERP automate food safety workflows, reducing manual effort through connected operations.
SQF Compliance Readiness
QT9 QMS centralizes SQF and FDA compliance activities, supported by QT9 ERP production and supplier data.
Centralized Documentation
QT9 QMS controls and distributes food safety documents, while QT9 ERP aligns operational processes with approved records.
Proactive Quality and Control
QT9 QMS supports proactive quality management, with QT9 ERP providing real-time data to improve accuracy and efficiency.
Food Safety Modernization for Food Industry Suppliers
Keep track of SQF compliance items and synchronize food safety documentation with anyone, anywhere.
What is SQF Certification?
SQF certification is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized food safety management program used by food manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with rigorous food safety and quality standards.
The program requires organizations to implement documented processes covering areas such as:
- HACCP-based food safety plans
- Supplier management
- Internal audits
- Corrective actions
- Employee training and competency
- Document control and recordkeeping
SQF certification audits are conducted by accredited certification bodies and must be maintained through ongoing surveillance audits.
How QT9 QMS and QT9 ERP Support SQF Compliance
Document ControlSQF requires documented procedures, policies and food safety plans. QT9 enables teams to:
|
Corrective and Preventive ActionsSQF requires documented responses to non-conformances and food safety incidents. QT9 helps organizations:
|
Training & CompetencySQF programs require documented training and workforce competency. QT9 training management helps track:
|
Audit ManagementSQF requires routine internal audits to verify food safety system effectiveness. QT9 audit management supports:
|
Change ControlSQF Edition 10 introduces stronger requirements for managing operational changes. QT9 change control workflows help teams document:
|
TraceabilityQT9 QMS and ERP help manufacturers maintain operational records needed during SQF audits, including:
|
What's Changing with SQF Edition 10?
SQF 10.0 will replace Edition 9.0, the current iteration of the guidelines. Audits against SQF 10.0 are not anticipated to begin until Jan. 2, 2027, at the earliest. During the transition period, audits will still be conducted to Edition 9.0
Food Safety Culture
Organizations must establish measurable objectives and programs that demonstrate a commitment to food safety throughout the workforce.
Formalized Change Management
Companies must document how operational changes, such as equipment, processes or personnel, are evaluated for potential food safety risks.
Core Clauses
Enhanced Training and Competency
Training programs must ensure employees performing food safety responsibilities demonstrate competency.
Mandatory Environmental Plan
SQF 10.0 makes it a mandatory requirement for food processing organizations to have a documented Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP).
Digital Tools
New digital tools assist organizations in SQF compliance, including the new interactive Code Selector and embedded links for quick access to resources.
How SQF Software Benefits your Organization
Enhance operating efficiency
Simplify SQF compliance
Streamline audits and inspections
Simplify internal and external audits by automating scheduling, tracking, and reporting compliance data in one central place.
Reduce waste and costs
Increase customer satisfaction
See how QT9 QMS and QT9 ERP Stack up Against the SQF 10.0 Standard.
QT9 is Available in the Cloud or On-Premise.
Flexible deployment to match your IT strategy without compromising security or speed.
Work smarter with intelligent automation in quality and compliance
QT9 Software’s built-in automation streamlines compliance workflows, quality checks, and alerts, reducing human errors, accelerating decision-making and freeing your team to focus on higher-value work.
Speed up implementation with pre-validated software
QT9 Software offers a fully pre-validated environment, with every module and feature tested and documented for compliance. Save time, avoid costly internal validation processes and go live faster with confidence.
Ensure audit-ready traceability across all processes
Track every action, change and event in real time with QT9 Software. Timeline-based traceability supports inspections, audits and product recalls by providing complete visibility into your processes and product history.
Empower teams with secure, self-service portals
QT9 Software provides dedicated web portals for employees, suppliers and customers, enabling secure self-service access to documentation and data while streamlining collaboration across your organization.
Catch and resolve issues instantly with real-time monitoring
Monitor operations live with real-time dashboards and automated alerts using QT9 Software. Enable proactive responses to nonconformances, minimize downtime and improve compliance outcomes across your organization.
Onboard faster with an intuitive, user-friendly platform
Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, QT9 Software’s clean, intuitive interface minimizes the learning curve, empowering users to work confidently, complete tasks accurately and stay audit-ready from day one.
FAQ: Safe Quality Food (SQF)
SQF stands for Safe Quality Food and refers to a set of requirements for the food industry that addresses food safety from every aspect – agriculture, processing, retail and everything in between. The requirements are used as part of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification program required by many retailers and food manufacturers in order for them to purchase your product.
The SQF system is based on the principles of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety system. However, SQF goes beyond HACCP with a more comprehensive approach that includes legal and regulatory compliance and quality control. SQF also is applicable throughout the supply chain, whereas HACCP is used mostly in processing environments.
The SQF platform is generally more stringent than HACCP, requiring extensive documentation and more intensive auditing. SQF also offers three levels of certification that are applicable depending on where a business falls within the supply chain.
For more detailed information about the HACCP system, visit the Safe Food Alliance website. For more detailed information about SQF visit the Safe Quality Food Institute.
The SQF system can be used by any food business from the farm to the table. Some of the more common food-industry sectors include:
- Food and ingredient manufacturers
- Pet food manufacturers
- Primary plant producers
- Primary animal producers
- Aquaculture
- Food packaging manufacturers
- Food storage and distribution
QT9 QMS is a highly rated quality management solution geared toward compliance and efficient systems. We offer more than 23 modules that come standard, including Document Control, Audit Management, Nonconforming Products, Corrective Actions, Employee Training and Electronic Batch Records integration.
Our QMS is backed by free software updates, full customer support, an available ERP integration and Business Intelligence tool. Contact us for more information.
SQF certification demonstrates that a food manufacturer has implemented a comprehensive food safety management system that meets globally recognized standards.
SQF Edition 10 is the upcoming version of the SQF Code that introduces several changes, including additional focus on organizational food safety culture, change management and core clauses.
SQF Edition 10 audits are expected to begin in 2027 following final evaluation by the GFSI.
Additional Quality Management Resources
Why Software Scalability Matters in QMS and ERP Systems
How CAPA Backlogs Drive the Cost of Poor Quality, Risk and Operational Drag
EUDAMED 2026: Is Med-Tech Ready for Full MDR Enforcement?
Try QT9 for free
Ready to simplify your quality processes? No credit card needed.