GFSI, SQF, BRCGS and FSSC 22000 explained

What GFSI recognition means

GFSI recognizes certification programs. Its current list of recognized program owners includes BRCGS, CanadaGAP, Freshcare, FSSC 22000, Global Red Meat Standard, Global Seafood Alliance, GLOBALG.A.P., GRMA, IFS, JFS-C, PrimusGFS and SQF¹.

SQF: check the code, not just the name

SQF Fundamentals for Manufacturing is an introduction to the SQF system and does not meet the requirements of a GFSI benchmarked program². GFSI lists SQF's food safety codes, edition 9, at level 2¹. The SQF Quality Code sits on top of the food safety code and is not benchmarked³.

That is why the GFSI filter in this directory counts SQF but flags it. Many plant websites say SQF without saying which code or level.

In this directory, 139 of 245 plants state a GFSI-benchmarked scheme on their own websites: 117 SQF, 22 BRCGS and 4 FSSC 22000. For 112 of them SQF is the only scheme named, and the level is not verified, so ask which code the certificate covers.

Which retailers ask for it

A food safety consultancy's 2023 compilation lists Albertsons, ALDI private label, Kroger's Our Brands, Meijer, Sysco brand suppliers, Target-branded foods, UNFI, Walmart and Wegmans as requiring GFSI-recognized certification. It lists Amazon as requiring it for chilled and frozen foods and high-risk produce, Costco as a GMP audit or GFSI addendum, and Whole Foods as accepting GFSI audits or GMP, GAP, GMaP, LGMA or HACCP audits. Walmart will not accept local, state and federal inspections in place of a GFSI-recognized certificate⁴.

That compilation is from 2023, and requirements change. Another source says Costco typically requires a GFSI-benchmarked certificate⁵, which conflicts with the first. Confirm with your buyer. Farmers markets and independent specialty shops usually do not ask.

How to check a certificate

SQFI runs a Certified Site Directory that shows whether a site's certificate is current, its scope and its last audit⁶⁷. Ask the plant for its certificate and audit score, then check them there.

Sources

1. MyGFSI, GFSI-Recognised Certification Programme Owners (Standards body)
2. SQFI, Fundamentals Program for Manufacturing (Standards body)
3. Allera Tech, SQF Certification Levels Explained (Company; read through a search summary, the page itself was not opened in full)
4. Kellerman Consulting, Top 12 Grocery Stores and Retailers Requiring Food Safety Audits (2023) (Company)
5. SG Systems, Costco supplier food safety requirements (Company; read through a search summary, the page itself was not opened in full)
6. SQFI, Certified Site Directory (Standards body; read through a search summary, the page itself was not opened in full)
7. FMI blog, How retailers can use the SQF Certified Site Directory (2025) (Standards body; read through a search summary, the page itself was not opened in full)