HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and SQF (Safe Quality Food) are both designed to ensure food safety, but they differ in their approach and scope. HACCP is a preventive system that identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards throughout the food production process. It focuses on critical control points to prevent food safety issues, ensuring that potential hazards are addressed before they become problems.

SQF, on the other hand, is a comprehensive certification scheme that incorporates HACCP principles but extends beyond them to include quality management and compliance with global food safety standards. SQF certification involves multiple levels of rigor, ensuring not only the safety but also the quality of food products throughout the supply chain. It provides a framework for meeting both regulatory and customer requirements, making it more holistic compared to HACCP’s singular focus on hazard control.

While HACCP is a foundational element of many food safety systems, SQF builds on these principles to offer a more robust and internationally recognized certification that covers both safety and quality aspects. This makes SQF particularly valuable for businesses looking to demonstrate their commitment to comprehensive food safety and quality management to a global audience.

HACCP and SQF also play significant roles in how businesses align with FDA regulations. HACCP is a critical component of FDA’s approach to food safety, requiring food facilities to implement preventive controls and conduct hazard analyses to prevent contamination. This aligns closely with FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) requirements, which mandate similar risk-based preventive measures.

SQF, while broader in scope, incorporates HACCP principles and aligns with FDA requirements by ensuring comprehensive food safety and quality management systems. SQF certification helps businesses demonstrate compliance with FDA regulations, particularly those outlined in FSMA, thereby facilitating smoother regulatory inspections and enhancing market access both domestically and internationally.