I have done both. SQF 7.2 Level 2 last year and Primus 2.1 just last week.
Keep in mind that our product is a low risk item and only falls into one category.
Though they are both from the same cloth, so to speak, the scoring, corrective actions and intensity levels are quiet different.
SQF - Scoring is not a percentage of the total and are 'yes' or 'no' as far as compliance. If you have 10 minors, you get a score of 90, NOT 96. Once the score is determined, that is your score. No chance to bring it up after making corrective actions. And you MUST make all of your corrective actions. The program is very thorough. Verification, validation, trending, and training registers are important. I do not regret doing the audit, but I thought it was a little too far reaching and detailed.
Primus - Scores as a percentage of the total. Some 250 or so lines to address, each item is worth possible 5, 10 or 15 points. Partial scores are given for minor deficiencies. Corrective actions completed can bring your score up. But you can choose not to make the appropriate corrective action. Just take the hit, so to speak, on the points.
After doing SQF 7 first, we were almost over prepared for the Primus audit. Primus was a lot less . . . intense.
Our company will continue to implement many of items required by SQF and not by Primus because we feel they are a good fit for our food safety program. Better to do what we feel is a complete Food Safety Program than to do just what is required to pass an audit.
Edited by WBSimon, 20 November 2014 - 04:45 PM.