We have updated all SQF observations in Alchemy Coach to align with SQF Code Edition 9. The SQF Code Edition 9 implementation date is May 24, 2021. These updated observations will help better prepare you and your employees for a successful audit on the new Code requirements.

 

IMPORTANT: The SQF Edition 8 observations will be retired – and will no longer be available – on May 12, 2021. Any learning plans that incorporate them will not complete as of May 12 and need to be recreated using the new Edition 9 observations.

This chart shows the retiring observation titles along with the new/updated title for the SQF Code Edition 9 observation titles.

 

 

 

NOTE: A major component of SQF Code Edition 9 updates is the measurement of food safety culture as part of the audit requirements. As such, we have also created a new Coach observation, “Culture: Food Safety” in the “Culture” category of Coach. Read more about the new Food Safety Culture observation here.

 

 

Observation Update Details

For each updated observation:

• Instructions were simplified to remove numerical references,

• Code reference numbering was removed from each question,

• A few questions were edited for clarity.

 

Additional updates are detailed below.

 

SQF Management Commitment

• Section headers were updated to reflect the recent updates to the SQF Code.

• A new question on actions to take if food safety problems are identified was added.

 

SQF Specifications, Formulas, Realization, and Supplier Approval

• A new section on approved supplier programs was added.

 

SQF Food Safety System

• The section on approved supplier programs was removed (this updated content was added to title above).

• New sections on product inspection/analysis and product reword were added.

 

SQF Product Traceability and Crisis Management

• A question was added concerning the topic of product start-up procedures.

• A question was removed regarding product labeling.

 

SQF Food Defense and Food Fraud

• A question was added concerning the topic of employee awareness of food fraud.

 

SQF Allergen Management

• A question was added concerning the topic of allergens brought into a facility (such as for personal meals).

 

SQF Training

• A few questions were removed to simplify the observation.

 

Please let us know how the updated observations are working for you. And, as always, contact Support if you need any assistance.