Recommendations for success on seeking SQF Level 2 Certification

Hi, I recently join a nut processing company that want to get SQF Level 2. What recommendations did you guys have for me, I will like to be successful on this.

Thanks, Suzie  

Suzie Hi, I would get a good old gap audit carried out by an outside auditor to see where you lack the level of compliance. At least then you have a starting point and can identify early on any gaps in experience / training also. I have an external auditor do a gap every year before our BRC audit to see if we have taken our eye off the ball in any areas.

Jimmy

Review the code yourself, and see where you already have policies and procedures in place that correspond with SQF. You can hire an outside consultant to perform a gap analysis, you can also do this yourself (my personnel recommendation, there are some shady (and some great) consultants out there)

Sign yourself up for the SQF practitioner course, you will get a very good idea from that of the slight differences between what SQF needs and what your required to do from the FDA

Understand that it takes about 1 year from start to finish for certification

Ask questions and review posts here!!

SQF is currently on version 8.0, and is no longer compromised of levels 1, 2, or 3.

If you're looking to achieve SQF certification for what was "level 2" you'd be trying to achieve "SQF Food Safety Certification for Manufacturing."

On the documents page of the SQFI website there are a ton of useful documents that I recommend checking out: https://www.sqfi.com/documents/ 

SQFI also has a few classes a year that review the code. I highly recommend attending one if you're able.

I am on the fence with paying a consultant for gap analysis, as it's something you could do yourself, as Scampi said.

Speaking from my own experience, I was thrown into the roll of being a Practitioner backup at our plant, and I felt I could understand the code very well after a week of reading it and then attending a class (having no prior food or packaging plant experience). I'm sure someone who already has experience and is organized will adapt quickly and understand the code. The most difficult part will be figuring out exactly how to implement it at your facility.

Good luck! You can always come here with questions. :-) 

Hi, I recently join a nut processing company that want to get SQF Level 2. What recommendations did you guys have for me, I will like to be successful on this.

Thanks, Suzie  

Hi Suzie,

Well if you haven't worked with nuts before and you are roasting, i suggest you read the GMA nut texts which are variously posted on this Forum.

Thanks everyone for all recommendations, I really appreciated!

Suzie