SQF Edition 9 · Edition 10 published Mar 2026 · GFSI
SQF software with system elements and fundamentals evidenced as work happens — including for unannounced audits.
SQF Edition 9 system elements (2.1–2.9) and food-safety fundamentals modeled as live workflow. SQFI published Edition 10 in March 2026; Edition 10 audits are expected to start no earlier than January 2, 2027, and audits before then use Edition 9.
System Elements 2.1–2.9
Food Safety Fundamentals
HACCP + Allergen + Sanitation
Sub-Hour Mock Recall
Full product detailCommon problems, what's included, why teams choose it, and where commercial meets regulated.
You're shopping for SQF software because Edition 9 moved to unannounced re-cert and your evidence takes two weeks to assemble.
System elements 2.1–2.9 are documented in a binder, not evidenced live
HACCP and allergen evidence live in different tools
Sanitation verification (pre-op, ATP, EMP) isn't linked to the audit trail
Mock recall drill takes days when SQF asks for hours
Supplier approval program lives in someone's inbox
Every re-cert is a two-week binder-assembly sprint
SQF Edition 9, modeled the way an auditor reads the code.
System Elements 2.1–2.9
Management commitment, document control, specifications, achieving customer / consumer / regulatory requirements, food safety system, verification, product identification / trace / withdrawal / recall, food defense and food fraud — all as live modules with signed records.
Food Safety Fundamentals
Prerequisite programs — site, building, equipment, personnel, cleaning and sanitation, waste, pest management, transport — with schedules, checklists and signed completion records.
HACCP + Allergen + Sanitation
Same HACCP engine as the food-safety hub, plus allergen changeover verification and sanitation program (pre-op inspection, ATP, environmental monitoring).
Sub-Hour Mock Recall
Lot-level trace with customer, quantity, ship-date, on-hand and hold-status in a single query. Meets and beats SQF mock-recall time expectations.
Approved Supplier Program
Raw material / packaging / service supplier approval with risk classification, ongoing verification, COA capture at receipt and CAR workflow.
Training + Competency
Role-based training matrix, curriculum assignment, signed completion and competency verification — with re-training triggered by SOP revision.
What changes when SQF is one live system.
- Unannounced re-cert becomes routine — not a crisis
- Mock recall drops from days to sub-hour
- Food fundamentals (sanitation, pest, transport) evidenced on schedule
- Document control gives the auditor the current SOP every time
- One platform serves SQF today, BRCGS or FSSC tomorrow if a customer asks
Every clause the SQFI code references.
SQF Edition 9 (Food Manufacturing)
System elements 2.1–2.9 and food safety fundamentals with Levels 2 and 3 supported. Evidence base survives an unannounced re-cert.
SQF Edition 9 (Storage & Distribution)
Warehouse / distribution program with allergen segregation, temperature control and traceability supported by the same platform.
Ethical / Quality Programs
SQF Quality Code and SQFI Ethical Sourcing supported when customers require them alongside food safety.
HACCP + Codex + 21 CFR 117
Underlying HACCP / HARPC engine drives food-safety element evidence.
GFSI Benchmark
SQF Edition 9 is GFSI-benchmarked — evidence structure holds up when a customer switches acceptable schemes.
21 CFR Part 11 (where applicable)
Bound e-signatures and hash-chained audit trail for regulated e-records.
SQF software, answered.
What is SQF software?
SQF software is the platform that operationalises the SQF Edition 9 code — system elements, food safety fundamentals, HACCP, allergen control, sanitation, mock recall, supplier program and training — with the live evidence an SQF auditor accepts as compliant.
Does V5 support unannounced re-cert?
Yes — that's the whole point. Because evidence is captured live rather than assembled at audit time, an unannounced visit finds the same complete evidence base as a scheduled one. Sites report the difference between announced and unannounced audits drops to essentially zero.
Does V5 cover Level 3 (Quality Code)?
Yes. The SQF Quality Code (Level 3) requirements — quality manual, HACCP-based quality plan and quality verification — layer onto the same base without duplicating records.
Can we run SQF and BRCGS or FSSC together?
Yes. Many manufacturers hold two GFSI certifications because different customers require different schemes. V5's evidence base is scheme-agnostic — a site certified against SQF can add BRCGS or FSSC 22000 with a fraction of the incremental effort.
How does mock recall work?
Lot-level traceability is one query. Given a lot number, V5 returns customers shipped-to, quantities, ship dates, on-hand status and hold status.
Capabilities vary by plan and setup. Confirm specifics with our team before relying on them.
Make the SQF unannounced re-cert the calmest audit you run all year.
Free trial. Real Edition 9 evidence.