WASHINGTON, DC — January 29, 2004 — The Safe Quality Food (SQF) program for certifying that suppliers observe the highest safety standards worldwide has been endorsed by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), according to an announcement today by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).

The announcement was made at the 2004 International Food Safety Conference currently underway in Barcelona, Spain. FMI owns and operates the SQF program through the SQF Institute.

“This endorsement recognizes that the SQF system sets the gold standard for global food safety,” said Tim Hammonds, FMI president and CEO. “It reassures retailers and their consumers that products from SQF-certified suppliers comply with the world’s most rigorous safety standards — notably the international Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.”

“SQF offers a total management approach to ensure the safety and quality of foods before they reach the retail market,” he said. “It covers both training and third-party audits to verify that a supplier’s food has been produced, processed, prepared and handled in accordance with the highest international standards.
     
“Using the SQF program, retailers and suppliers can work together to achieve a transparent and effective way to measure food safety while ensuring efficiencies in the audit process.”

Currently, more than 4,000 businesses in 16 countries have been certified as complying with the SQF system. “This endorsement,” Hammonds added, “shows that numerous suppliers worldwide are already using the most advanced and scientifically sound food safety management tools available today.”

Note: The Global Food Safety Initiative was formed in 2000 to benchmark food safety standards worldwide; develop rapid alert systems; encourage worldwide government cooperation; and promote consumer education. Its members, including FMI and CIES — The Food Business Forum, account for 65 percent of food retail sales worldwide.