In early 2009 US Foods achieved Safe Quality Food Level III Certification.
The SQF program is a fully intergrated food safety and quality management system. Having the SQF Certification provides an internal and external validation that a product, process or service complies with international, regulatory and other specified standard(s) and enables US Foods to give assurances that food has been produced, prepared and handled according to the highest possible standards.
There are seven key areas in SQF:
Commitment - A Management Policy has been defined for food safety and quality. The commitment is in place to achieve these objectives.
Organizational Structure - outlined and describes those who have functional responsibility.
Training - provided for personnel carrying out the tasks at the critical steps for Food safety and the Quality plan.
Specifications - documented specifications for raw materials and the inspection plan, as well as finished products produced.
Control of production - all process controls are documented. Corrective and preventative action are identified and documented for cause and resolution. Product shall comply with the legislation that applies.
Verification- calibration of all measuring, test and inspection equipment for monitoring critical activities. Internal audits are completed and documented.
Product identification, trace and recall. - Finished product shall be clearly identified according to the customer specification, all finished product shall be traceable to the customer and a complete documented recall procedure with responsibilities and procedures to be implemented clearly described.
A documented system review is completed yearly. Any changes that impact food safety and/or quality shall be developed, validated, verified and maintained.