Halal and Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification: Similarities and Differences

SQF (Safe Quality Food) and Halal certifications respectively play a pivotal role in ensuring food safety, quality, and compliance standards. 

For food safety and quality professionals, understanding these certifications is essential to meet consumer demands, comply with regulations, and access lucrative markets. 

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the two certifications to address the following:

• Similarities and differences between SQF and Halal certifications
• Governing bodies 
• Key requirements 
• Can an SQF and Halal certification audit be integrated?
• Frequently asked questions 

Certification Objectives and Scope

Here are the key differences between the two certifications from the perspective of objectives and scope: 

SQF Certification (Safe Quality Food)

• A globally recognized food safety and quality certification under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
• Focuses on food safety management systems (FSMS), risk-based preventive controls, and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
• Covers all aspects of food production, including primary production, processing, packaging, storage, and distribution.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, USDA, CFIA, EU food laws) and customer-driven food safety requirements.

Halal Certification

• Ensures compliance with Islamic dietary laws.
• Focuses on the halal status of ingredients, processes, handling, and storage.
• Evaluates halal integrity across the entire supply chain.
• May include additional ethical and religious aspects such as humane slaughter, absence of haram (forbidden) ingredients, and avoiding najis (impurities).

Governing Bodies and Standards

Here are the key differences between the two certifications with regards to governance: 

SQF Certification

• Administered by the SQF Institute (SQFI) under the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).
• Aligned with GFSI benchmarks.
• Follows SQF Code (currently Edition 9), which includes:
  • Food Safety Fundamentals (Basic HACCP)
  • SQF Food Safety Code
  • SQF Quality Code (optional)

SQF requires a third-party audit by an SQF-licensed certification body.

Halal Certification

Halal does not have a single global standard and it therefore follows various regional halal authorities:

• JAKIM (Malaysia)
• BPJPH (Indonesia)
• GSO Standards (Middle East)
• MUIS (Singapore)

Typically follows halal standards such as:

• OIC/SMIIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation)
• GSO 2055-1 (Gulf Standards Organization)
• MS1500 (Malaysia)
• MUI Halal Standard (Indonesia)
• AHF Halal Standards

Halal certification requires a third-party halal audit and religious verification by an accredited halal certification body.

Key Requirements

Step	SQF Certification	Halal Certification
Step 1	Register with SQFI	Apply to a recognized halal certification body (HCB)
Step 2	Conduct a gap assessment (internal or with a consultant)	Submit ingredient and supplier documentation
Step 3	Implement SQF food safety plan (HACCP-based)	Undergo a halal risk assessment
Step 4	Hire an SQF-certified auditor and undergo an on-site audit with risk assessments	Undergo an on-site halal audit, including:- Halal ingredient verification– Cross-contamination controls– Halal CCPs– Facility hygiene and cleaning assessment– Slaughter process verification (for meat)
Step 5	Receive certification and compliance ranking (e.g., Excellent, Good, Compliant)	Certification granted (valid for 1-3 years, depending on the halal authority)
Step 6	Annual recertification audits	Annual or periodic surveillance audits

Auditing and Compliance

Here are the key similarities and differences in the auditing and compliance stage of the two certifications:  

Similarities:

• Audit Frequency: Both certifications require regular audits (e.g., annual surveillance audits and recertification audits).
• Non-Conformities: Both allow for corrective actions to address non-conformities identified during audits.
• Certification Mark: Both provide a certification mark that can be displayed on compliant products.

Differences:

• SQF Certification

• Audits are conducted by SQF-certified auditors with expertise in food safety and quality management.
• Focuses on process control, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Includes unannounced audits at higher certification levels to ensure ongoing compliance.

• Halal Certification

• Audits are conducted by halal auditors with knowledge of Islamic dietary laws.
• Focuses on religious compliance, ingredient verification, and cross-contamination prevention.
• May require on-site supervision by a halal certifying body for certain processes (e.g., slaughtering).

Is a Halal and SQF Combined Audit Possible? 

Yes, a combined audit for Halal and SQF certifications is possible and can be highly efficient for food manufacturers aiming to meet both food safety and religious compliance requirements. However, achieving this requires careful planning, coordination, and alignment of audit processes to ensure both standards are adequately addressed. 

How and Why It’s Possible:

• Overlapping Requirements: Both certifications share common elements, such as documentation, traceability, supplier approval, and staff training, which can be audited simultaneously.

• Third-Party Audits: Both Halal and SQF certifications rely on third-party audits conducted by accredited bodies, making it feasible to align audit schedules and processes.

• Integrated Management Systems: Companies with robust integrated management systems (e.g., combining ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and Halal requirements) can streamline audits for multiple standards.

To learn more on combined Halal and SQF audits, get in touch with an AHF expert at  +1 (630) 759-4981 or info@halalfoundation.org. 

Summary

Both SQF and Halal Certification have rigorous compliance processes but differ in objectives, risk management, and regulatory focus. Many food manufacturers pursue both to meet both global food safety and halal market demands. 

Below is a summary of the key differences and similarities between the two:  

	SQF Certification	Halal Certification
Purpose	Food safety & quality	Religious dietary compliance
Regulatory Body	SQFI (GFSI-aligned)	Multiple global halal bodies
Certification Process	HACCP-based audit	HACCP-based halal audit
Ingredient Controls	No restrictions (except allergens & contaminants)	Prohibits haram (pork, alcohol, cross-contamination)
Supply Chain	Supplier verification	Requires halal-certified suppliers
Labeling	Food safety labeling	Halal logo + traceability
Training	HACCP, GMPs	Halal compliance, religious knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Can a company obtain both Halal and SQF certifications?

Yes, many companies pursue both to meet global food safety standards while ensuring compliance with halal dietary laws.

2. Do Halal and SQF certifications require third-party audits?

Yes, both require independent audits by accredited bodies to verify compliance with their respective standards.

3. What is the key similarity between Halal and SQF certification requirements?

Both require a structured compliance system, risk management, traceability, supplier verification, sanitation controls, and employee training.

4. How do the certification processes for Halal and SQF differ?

SQF focuses on HACCP-based food safety and quality, while Halal certification includes ingredient verification, religious compliance, and contamination prevention.

5. Does SQF certification automatically make a product Halal?

No, SQF ensures food safety, but halal certification requires additional compliance, such as sourcing halal ingredients and preventing contamination with haram substances.

6. Do both certifications require supply chain verification?

Yes, both mandate supplier approval programs to ensure raw materials and processes meet certification requirements.

7. How often do companies need to renew these certifications?

SQF requires annual recertification audits, while Halal certification renewal varies (typically 1-3 years) based on the certifying authority.

8. Can the same auditor conduct both Halal and SQF audits?

Yes, if an auditor is accredited by both SQFI and an accredited Halal certification body, they can be eligible to conduct a combined audit.

9. What are the key contamination concerns in both certifications?

SQF focuses on allergens, pathogens, and foreign materials, while Halal certification ensures the absence of haram ingredients and najis (impurities).