Can anyone remove my concern about SQF levels 1, 2, 3?

As far as I’m aware only SQF uses the level system e.g. transitioning from lower requirements through higher level requirements as the business develops its Food Safety Management System. I can see some benefits but also I have a concern that at level 1 no risk assessment / HACCP system is required. How can certification be achieved without the core of the FSMS in place (HACCP). Do customers accept level 1 certification? Surely their own internal supplier approval process requires suppliers to have HACCP and a full food safety and quality management system be in place. Maybe the SQF experts can explain how this works in practice.

Regards,
Simon

Hey simon,

Level 1 is not recognised level. Level 2 and 3 are the only recognised level by GFSI. Getting Level 1 will not add anything and i guess it will not even accepted by regular customers.

Hope this helps a bit

Dave

I certainly do not consider myself an expert but I agree that HACCP should be the basis of your pre-requisite programs and the core of your food safety management system. I did a quick search to show some numbers of certifications at each level worldwide and this is what I found (includes all product categories):

Level 1 Certifications - 21
Level 2 Certifications - 905
Level 3 Certifications - 1870

https://sqfi.muddybo...z/Level1Report/

So from that, I am guessing customers do not typically accept Level 1 - but for a company that didn't have much (if anything) in place prior it is a start I suppose. However once the Food Safety Modernization Act is fully implemented, Level 1 would no longer apply as HACCP will be required for all manufacturers.

dear Simon,

The level 1 option is maybe analogous to a more(?) comprehensive version of "Hygiene-based" Certificates issued by various companies for which there does appear to be a viable market. i noted that many of the detailed specification requirements of higher levels are still maintained, including microbiological limits and "Verification" (but not Validation or Product sampling viv-a-vis 4.5.4).

A large part of Food Safety relies on correct implementation of Hygiene / GMP (typically no explicit risk analysis although i predict one can find implicit terms pointing to prioritisation here and there.)

Slightly OT - Was food really that unsafe to eat prior to HACCP ? ie has the safety benefit derived from HACCP been (generally) quantified ? (an equivalent question was put, and i believe negatively concluded, for ISO 9001?)

Any answer will probably depend on the precise food type of course, eg i guess the spacefaring clientele are not eating steak tartare too frequently. Then again, different nationalities may have their own risk criteria.

Rgds / Charles.C

Thanks for claifying, so level 1 is/will become obsolete. My concern is removed.

Slightly OT - Was food really that unsafe to eat prior to HACCP ? ie has the safety benefit derived from HACCP been (generally) quantified ? (an equivalent question was put, and i believe negatively concluded, for ISO 9001?)

Good OT though Charles, maybe worthy of its own topic. My answer would be HACCP makes food safer, just like risk assessment in health and safety makes work safer. Risk assessment makes you think about processes to a much deeper level and that time, care and effort invested is in itself very valuable IMHO.

Regards,
Simon

SQF Level 1 Food Safety Fundamentals: Indicates that Pre-requisite Programs and fundamental food safety controls have been implemented to provide a sound foundation for the further development of the Supplier’s management system.

It is only appropriate for low risk products and it is difficult to see the value in it apart from as a stepping stone to level 2.

I suppose you have to start somewhere and we have to be realistic and recognize that some are just starting out with Food Safety Management Systems. Whether they should be allowed to supply without a proper system in place is a different question. I understand SQF levels now, thanks all.

Regards,
Simon