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When we talk about food safety, two names often come up: the FDA and SQF. They both matter, but for very different reasons. Here’s what each one is and how they differ.
SQF stands for Safe Quality Food, a voluntary certification program run by the Safe Quality Food Institute (part of the Food Marketing Institute). It helps food producers tap into global markets by showing they operate a strong food safety and quality system. Achieving SQF certification means you follow industry-backed best practices and stay ready for audits.
The FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, is a federal agency focused on protecting public health. It enforces mandatory food regulations in the U.S. under laws like FSMA. If you produce or sell food in the U.S., you must follow FDA rules. They conduct inspections, enforce recalls, and work to prevent foodborne illness.
| Feature | SQF (Voluntary) | FDA (Mandatory) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Certification of best practices | Regulation and enforcement of legal food safety standards |
| Scope | Global, industry-led standards | U.S. federal compliance and public health protection |
| Who Conducts It | Independent auditors through SQF program | Government regulators from the FDA |
| Why It Matters | Builds customer confidence; opens markets | Ensures legal compliance; avoids fines and recalls |
An operation can follow SQF best practices without certification, but that means you’ll miss out on those benefits. On the other hand, certification does not replace FDA compliance, both are needed to manage risk and meet regulatory expectations.
SQF certification demonstrates proactive quality leadership - especially if you're exporting or working with global brands.
FDA compliance is non-negotiable - it’s a core requirement for doing business in the U.S.
Many companies pursue both, using SQF systems to deepen their food safety controls while remaining in regulatory compliance with the FDA.
Certdox is built to support both worlds. Our platform helps FSQA teams manage their SOPs, audits, training, and supplier records in one place. You can align operations with SQF best practices while maintaining real-time visibility for FDA compliance, without juggling systems or losing data integrity.
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