<p>By: LeAnn Chuboff, Vice President, Technical Affairs, SQFI</p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/edition-10-logo.tmb-large-350-.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b4fa9418_1" style="float:right;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:15px;" alt="book icon edition 10" class="-align-right" sf-size="100" /><p>Last month, we shared <a href="https://www.fmi.org/blog/view/fmi-blog/2025/03/11/why-the-food-industry-should-engage-with-edition-10-of-the-sqf-code">a blog</a> on why the food industry should pay close attention to Edition 10 of the SQF Code. The response was clear: food safety professionals are eager to understand what’s changing and why. But understanding is only the first step. Now, we’re asking retailers to go one step further.</p><h5>Your feedback helps shape the future of food safety.</h5><p>SQF Edition 10 Code reflects a significant evolution in how we support food safety culture, risk-based thinking and supply chain agility. As a retailer, you’re uniquely positioned between shopper trust and supplier accountability — making your perspective essential.</p><p>Whether you are auditing against the Code, relying on suppliers to be certified or building brand expectations around food safety and quality — Edition 10 will touch your work. This is your opportunity to help refine the very standard you count on.</p><h5>Why it matters for your supply chain.</h5><p>Retailers requiring Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked certification, like SQF, understand the value of consistent standards. Certification gives confidence that supply chain partners meet globally recognized food safety expectations – mitigating risk, strengthening brand trust and improving response to food safety issues. Edition 10 is your chance to ensure those standards stay practical, credible and aligned with real-world retail needs.</p><p>The SQF Code supports food safety across all operation sizes — from global manufacturers to local suppliers. Whether sourcing from a major brand or a small vendor, it’s designed to be scalable and realistic. Edition 10 addresses the challenges at every level, ensuring consistent application of high standards. This inclusive approach makes SQF a trusted standard across the entire supply chain.</p><p>Many retailers use the SQF Code as a benchmark, even without pursuing certification for their own operations. It helps align food safety expectations across private brands and internal standards. Reviewing Edition 10 helps ensure it remains relevant to how retailers manage safety in categories like fresh, deli and prepared foods.</p><p>Retailers who operate their own facilities such as commissaries, central kitchens or distribution centers, may certify those locations to SQF and use the Code for food safety plans and risk mitigation. Commenting on Edition 10 ensures the Code reflects the realities of in-store production, retail food prep and back-of-house operations.</p><h5>Read. Reflect. Respond.</h5><p>The proposed Edition 10 is available now for public comment, and I urge you to review and comment on the draft Code. The updates aim to make the Code more intuitive and aligned with today’s industry demands, from data-driven traceability to environmental monitoring and continuous improvement.</p><p>Even if you don’t audit or certify, your on-the-ground insight helps keep the Code scalable and relevant — especially when working with emerging brands, high-turnover suppliers or evolving categories like fresh and prepared foods.</p><h5>Log in and lend your voice.</h5><p>To comment, you’ll need an SQFI account (not the same as your FMI login). <a href="https://www.sqfi.com/mxt/authservice?ReturnUrl=http://www.sqfi.com/" target="_blank">Create or access your SQFI account</a>.</p><p>Once logged in, navigate to the "Public Comment" page to review the proposed Code and share your feedback.</p><p>But don’t wait — <strong>public commenting closes on May 9, 2025.</strong></p><p>This is your chance to help shape the next chapter of food safety assurance. The better the Code reflects retailer needs, the stronger the entire food safety ecosystem will become.</p><p>Let’s build it together.</p><p><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/the-sqf-code/comply-with-the-code/public-comments" class="button" target="_blank">Public Comments</a></p>
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