When an SQF audit doesn’t go the way you expected, it can feel personal. You replay the closing meeting in your head, worry about certification status, and wonder how you’re going to explain the results to leadership or customers. I’ve seen this moment many times across multiple bakeries, beverage manufacturers, and ready-to-eat operations.
Here’s what I want you to hear clearly: a difficult or failing SQF audit is not a permanent failure. It is a signal.
What matters most now is how you respond, because your recovery approach will either stabilize your system or create repeat findings next time.
What Does a Difficult or Failing SQF Audit Really Mean?
It depends. For many new facilities, it meant they are not ready, or they think they have the right program in place, but they don’t.
For an existing facility, it means your food safety program was not followed, or changes or food safety risk was not fully documented, or procedures were not fully developed.
As a SQF registered consultant, I see so many reasons and the whys food facilities often failed their food safety management systems audit, including HACCP certification and SQF certification.
That’s why I want to explain and share a few things you should know about your SQF certification audit and what your scoring tells you!
Is the Audit About Effort or Evidence?
Most sites that struggle in an SQF audit are genuinely trying to do the right thing. The issue is rarely a lack of effort. Instead, it’s that the evidence did not consistently show that food safety controls were implemented, monitored, and verified as required by the Safe Quality Food program.
Are the Non-Conformances Pointing to a Pattern?
When auditors raise multiple findings in similar areas, such as records, verification, or training, they are identifying patterns. These patterns suggest the system is not supporting people well enough to succeed every day, especially during busy production periods.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Difficult SQF Audit?
Should You Pause Before You Start Fixing Things?
The first mistake many facilities make is rushing straight into corrective actions. Taking a short pause to read the audit report carefully allows you to respond accurately instead of defensively. This pause often prevents weak root cause statements that cause problems later.
Who Owns the SQF Audit Recovery Plan?
Recovery goes smoother when one person that can make decisions and know what they are doing is responsible for coordinating corrective actions. This does not mean they do all the work, but they own timelines, evidence collection, and final review to ensure responses are consistent and complete.
How Do You Interpret SQF Non-Conformances Correctly?
Are You Reading the Finding Exactly as Written?
Auditors choose their wording carefully.
A finding about “inconsistent verification” is different from one about “missing monitoring,” and your response needs to reflect that difference.
Misreading the intent of the finding is one of the most common reasons corrective actions get rejected.
Is the Clause Connected to Food Safety Risk?
If the finding connects to hazard control, sanitation, allergen management, or product release, treat it as high priority.
These areas directly impact food safety risk and customer confidence, especially in high-risk sectors like ready-to-eat and meat processing.
How Do You Write Corrective Actions That Actually Pass?
Is “Human Error” Really the Root Cause?
Root cause statements that blame individuals do not help you fix the problem. And you certainly don’t want a recurring SQF deviations.
Instead, describe why the system allowed the issue to occur. This might include unclear procedures, unrealistic monitoring frequencies, inadequate training depth, or lack of supervisory verification.
Define the method of the root-cause analysis. This will become important especially for the SQF Edition 10. We are expecting this as one of the changes to the SQF Edition 10. .
Can You Prove the Fix Works on the Floor?
A strong corrective action explains what changed on the floor, not just on paper. It describes how the change was implemented, who was trained, and how effectiveness was checked during real production conditions.
Are You Keeping SQF Documentation Simple and Aligned?
More documents do not equal a stronger system. Auditors trust records that are clear, complete, and consistently used. If a form is confusing or too long, it often becomes a liability rather than proof of control.
How Do You Rebuild HACCP and SQF Alignment After the Audit?
Does Your HACCP Plan Match What You Actually Do?
Many facilities discover after a tough audit that their HACCP plan or PCP plan no longer matches current products, processes, or equipment. This can happen anywhere, especially when the food facility have grown or changed over time. Alignment between the plan and the floor is critical for recovery.
How Do You Retrain Your Team Without Burning Them Out?
Are You Training for Food Safety Competencies, Not Attendance?
Effective retraining helps employees explain why controls matter, not just what steps to follow.
Are Supervisors Acting as Your Verification Engine?
Supervisors play a key role in preventing repeat findings. When they actively verify records, observe practices, and coach in real time, issues are caught early instead of showing up in the next audit.
How Do You Prepare for the Next SQF Audit Strategically?
Are You Reviewing the Weak Areas Only?
An SQF audit is an overview of your SQF program during the audit day. Reviewing the weak areas as the core focus, may create blind spots that you missed.
We always say focus on the weak areas but check the full system.
Should You Bring in an External SQF Consultant?
Facilities often recover faster when an external SQF consultant or HACCP consultant reviews the audit findings objectively. Fresh eyes can identify blind spots and help you focus on what truly matters to pass SQF certification the next time.
What’s the Best Way to Turn a Tough Audit Into a Stronger System?
A difficult SQF audit is uncomfortable, but it can become a turning point.
Many of the strongest food safety systems I’ve seen were built after a tough audit forced honest reflection and meaningful change.
An honest audit and auditor will help you realize what you need to improve your SQF programs.
If you’re unsure where to start or worried about repeating findings, let’s talk. I help food manufacturers across Canada recover after difficult audits, strengthen HACCP and SQF systems, and pass SQF certification with confidence.
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