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With 2025 bringing new shifts in food safety expectations, the release of SQF Code Edition 10 marks a critical milestone for businesses already certified under SQF. Set to launch in July 2025 and take effect in early 2026, Edition 10 introduces updates designed to align with the evolving regulatory and industry landscape. For existing users, staying informed and prepared for these changes is essential—not only to maintain certification but also to ensure continued compliance and operational confidence in a rapidly changing food safety environment.
This article provides a clear and practical overview of the major updates introduced in SQF Edition 10 and how they impact your food safety management system.
The Need for SQF Edition 10
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) has always positioned the SQF Code as a dynamic and evolving standard. The GFSI acts as the force that ushers all the certification bodies to constantly improve by bringing in the relevant changes to align with the set benchmark. The decision to launch Edition 10 was driven by various factors—regulatory changes, emerging scientific insights, industry feedback, and the increasing importance of risk-based approaches in food safety.
What sets this edition apart is the collaborative development process behind it. Over 170 industry professionals, including food safety experts, producers, auditors, and retailers, contributed to shaping the draft. SQFI also introduced a public commenting system that opened in February 2025, encouraging stakeholders across the supply chain to share feedback on the draft code.
This transparent and inclusive approach ensures that Edition 10 isn’t just another compliance update but it is a practical, forward-thinking guide tailored to the industry’s current landscape.
Key Updates to be Expected in SQF Edition 10
Here are the key highlights to be expected in SQF Edition 10:
1. Establishing a Measurable Food Safety Culture
Edition 10 formalizes the requirement for sites to build and maintain a comprehensive Food Safety Culture Plan. This is no longer a soft expectation—it’s a structured requirement with defined objectives and measurable outcomes.
- Set SMART food safety objectives and integrate them into the company’s culture
- Define performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness
- Engage all levels of staff through surveys, awareness meetings, training, and feedback mechanisms
- Ensure top-down commitment from leadership and active participation from frontline employees
- Maintain documentation to demonstrate continuous improvement
2. Introducing a Formal Change Management Clause
SQF Edition 10 introduces a dedicated Change Management clause requiring a formalized process for handling operational changes that could impact food safety.
- Document all changes in equipment, processes, personnel, ingredients, or suppliers
- Perform risk assessments before implementation
- Update affected HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, and procedures
- Ensure controlled and traceable implementation of all changes
3. Streamlining Documentation and Record-Keeping
To support audit readiness and simplify compliance, Edition 10 consolidates documentation and record-keeping requirements into a centralized section.
- Maintain consistent and centralized control of food safety documents
- Ensure proper version history and review cycles
- Provide easy access to documents for internal teams and auditors
- Reduce confusion caused by dispersed or duplicated records
4. Stronger Emphasis on Training and Competency Assessment
Edition 10 builds on training requirements by placing greater emphasis on validating competency, not just completion.
- Provide role-specific training, especially for HACCP team members and SQF Practitioners
- Conduct periodic evaluations or practical assessments to confirm competency
- Keep detailed training records aligned to job roles and system updates
- Incorporate training on HACCP methodology and SQF Code expectations
5. Reintroduction of SQF Pre-Audit
Edition 10 proposes bringing back the SQF pre-audit to enhance preparedness for certification.
- Conduct required internal audits to identify and address gaps ahead of official certification
- Strengthen continuous improvement through early detection and correction
6. Cybersecurity Integrated into Food Defense
A new update includes cybersecurity as part of food defense planning, addressing the increasing reliance on digital systems.
- Protect critical digital infrastructure and data used in food safety management
- Integrate cybersecurity measures into existing food defense protocols
7. Proposed Pass/Fail Grading System
SQF Edition 10 may replace the current scoring system with a Pass/Fail audit model.
- Eliminate numerical scores in favor of clear compliance status
- Apply stricter enforcement of non-conformances, including multipliers for Module 2 issues
- Drive deeper focus on system effectiveness and implementation quality
8. Structured CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) Methods
A more structured approach to CAPA is introduced to improve the management of non-conformances.
- Perform robust root cause analysis using tools like Fishbone Diagrams or FMEA
- Clearly document corrective and preventive actions taken
- Track outcomes to ensure long-term compliance and risk control
9. Enhanced Recall and Crisis Management Protocols
Edition 10 updates recall and crisis management protocols to strengthen response strategies.
- Align procedures with risk-based thinking
- Improve guidance on roles, responsibilities, and communication during emergencies
- Ensure systems are in place to manage unforeseen challenges efficiently
Prep Your Food Business in Time to Comply With SQF Edition 10 With Smart Food Safe’s Digital Solutions
Transitioning to SQF Code Edition 10 demands more than just understanding what’s new—it requires a reliable, efficient system to manage compliance in real-time, across every level of your operation. That’s where Smart Food Safe comes in.
Smart Food Safe strives to offer the digital foundation needed to meet the evolving requirements of Edition 10 while eliminating the inefficiencies of manual or paper-based systems.
⇒Built-In Compliance With SQF Edition 10 Requirements
Smart Docs comes with integrated SQF standards and a one-click migration that enables smooth transition between standard revisions—such as moving from SQF Edition 9 to SQF Edition 10—ensuring continuity and compliance without disruption.
⇒Well-Defined Change Management Procedures
Smart Docs ensures that all records associated with change management—procedures, HACCP plans, and prerequisite programs—are securely stored and easy to retrieve. Version control, searchability, and audit trails help maintain accuracy, consistency, and traceability in documentation, which are essential under Edition 10.
⇒Audit-Ready Records & Documentation
Smart Record’s digital record-keeping capabilities can contribute to cultivating a strong food safety culture to create audit-ready checklists to verify compliance using customizable forms, audit logs, advanced reporting, and compliance dashboards to track safety-related behaviors.
⇒Effective Training & Competency Tracking
With Smart Training, businesses can assign, schedule, and track employee training tied to SQF requirements. Training history and employee competency reports help demonstrate that staff are qualified and updated on current food safety responsibilities.
⇒Proactive Audit Management & CAPA Tracking
Smart Audit can assist in digitalizing the internal reviews and mock audits, replacing static spreadsheets with real-time data capture, CAPA tracking, and analytics, identifying compliance gaps early and demonstrating ongoing improvement well before your official audit.
Whether managing a single facility or overseeing operations across multiple sites, you can take the necessary actions with Smart Food Safe’s food safety management software —all while saving time and resources.
