SQF Consultant Trusted by Hundreds of Food Manufacturers
FoodReady pairs world-class SQF expertise, led by Dave Seddon (auditor of 500+ manufacturers), with intelligent software to get your food safety program certified faster.
Dave Seddon, MBA RDN LDN
Chief Food Safety Officer & Co-Founder
Conducted 500+ GFSI audits across the U.S. · SQF Auditor of the Year Finalist
Led by one of the most experienced SQF auditors in the country
Dave Seddon is a co-founder of FoodReady, a longtime SQF auditor, and was named a finalist for SQF Auditor of the Year by the SQF Institute.
He brings a rare insider perspective: he has seen what passes and what fails from both sides of the clipboard.
Dave Seddon
MBA · RDN · LDN · CFSO
Co-founder of FoodReady and a longtime food safety auditor who has audited over 500 manufacturers for SQF and GMP certification across the United States. Dave knows exactly what auditors look for, because he was one.
500+
GFSI audits conducted
SQF
Licensed practitioner
GMP
Certification expertise
BRC
Audit experience
How we get you to certified
Three proven steps used by hundreds of food manufacturers to pass their SQF audit with confidence.
Gap assessment
We request and review your existing documentation and facility layout to identify every gap and map the exact steps needed to close them before your audit.
SQF Documentation
Environmental Monitoring Program
Everything your SQF program needs, in one place
HACCP / PCP Plan Builder
Full plans with process flow, hazard analysis, critical control points, and digital monitoring logs. Pre-populated for your food sector category.Operational Checklists
Custom or library checklists for opening, closing, inspection, sanitation, and quality. Replace your Excel spreadsheets with mobile-ready forms.Batch & Inventory Traceability
Track production runs, bill of materials, purchase orders, and shipping traceability linked to sales orders, recall-ready at any moment.Automated Supplier Document Collection
Automatically collect and store supplier ingredient documentation to keep your approved supplier program complete and audit-ready.Real-Time CCP Monitoring
View all CCP and operational monitoring programs in one dashboard. Monitor moisture, temperature, or any parameter as it occurs, with instant alerts.
We will deliver the best job with the best team
Dave Seddon
Chief Food Safety Officer
MBA RDN LDN. Co-founder of FoodReady. Conducted over 500 GFSI audits across the United States. SQF Auditor of the Year Finalist.
Luke Duffy
Sr. Director of Quality & Customer Success
Extensive SQF, BRC, USDA, and FSQA leadership experience at multiple large food manufacturers across diverse categories.
Denice Beccard
Senior Director of Quality
HACCP, PCQI, and GFSI SQF Practitioner/Internal Auditor with a strong background in food manufacturing and quality systems.
Maggie Kratovil
Food Safety Tech Supervisor
Certified food safety consultant and SQF practitioner. Supports facility implementations and document development for SQF programs.
Sam Peña
Digital Transformation Specialist
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Plant Manager and sanitation expert at several large food companies who bridges food safety and operational efficiency.
Which SQF level is right for you?
SQF Edition 9 has three certification levels. Our SQF consultant will help you identify the right target and build the program to get there.
Level 1
Food Safety Fundamentals
ENTRY LEVEL
Designed for low-risk food operations. Covers Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and basic food safety controls. Ideal for packaging companies and low-risk processors entering the GFSI ecosystem.
- Good Manufacturing Practices
- Basic food safety controls
- Management commitment
- HACCP plan not required
Most common
Level 2
GFSI RECOGNIZED
The most widely required SQF certification. Includes a full HACCP-based food safety plan plus prerequisite programs. Required by most major retailers, foodservice operators, and co-manufacturers.
- Full HACCP plan (SQF standard)
- Prerequisite programs
- Allergen & supplier management
- Environmental monitoring program
Level 3
Comprehensive Quality Management
ADVANCED
Adds a full quality management system on top of Level 2. Demonstrates your commitment to both food safety and product quality, required for premium retail and global supply chains.
- Everything in Level 2
- Quality management system
- Customer complaint programs
- Continuous improvement system
Not sure which level your customers require?
Common questions
The timeline depends on your current food safety program, operation size, and process complexity. With an experienced consultant like Dave Seddon, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, compared to 12–18 months with traditional consulting firms.
A gap assessment identifies areas in your existing food safety program that fall short of SQF standards. It provides a clear roadmap for improvements to ensure successful certification, and is always the first step Dave’s team takes with every new client.
An SQF program includes management commitment, documented food safety plans (HACCP), prerequisite programs (sanitation, pest control, etc.), traceability systems, and supplier management. Our consultants tailor each element to your specific business and food category.
The SQF Food Safety Audit focuses on food safety fundamentals (Level 2), while the SQF Quality Audit (Level 3) adds quality management systems. Dave can guide you on which level is right for your business goals and customer requirements.
Our mobile app lets you maintain all SQF and food safety records year-round, from checklists and traceability to environmental monitoring and supplier documentation. Your program stays audit-ready, not just certified-once.
The cost of SQF consulting depends on your facility size, current program maturity, and target certification level. FoodReady offers a free initial consultation to assess your situation and provide a clear, transparent quote with no surprise fees. Book a free call with Dave’s team to get an honest estimate for your specific operation.
SQF Level 2 is the most commonly required certification. It covers a HACCP-based food safety plan and is GFSI-recognized. Level 3 adds a full quality management system on top of Level 2, demonstrating commitment to both safety and product quality. Most major retailers require Level 2 at minimum; premium and global customers often require Level 3.
FoodReady’s consulting and software are built around SQF Edition 9, the current standard published by the SQF Institute. Our gap assessments, document templates, and mock audits are all mapped to Edition 9 requirements across all 32 SQF food sector categories.
Your next SQF audit just got easier
Book a free consultation with Dave’s team. No pressure, just an honest look at where your program stands and what it takes to pass.
