SQF Code Edition 9: Your Input on The Next Step in Global Food Safety

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

who frontpage

member frontpage

Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

Food retailers play a critical role in influencing food safety protocols and expectations between food manufacturers and consumers.

<div> <p paraid="151482278" paraeid="{fc71e3dd-70af-483b-a3b9-651396fb8ea8}{195}">By Kathy Chiao, Marketing Specialist, SQFI </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="4515548" paraeid="{fc71e3dd-70af-483b-a3b9-651396fb8ea8}{201}"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/48726610786_76f98024ef_c.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=f3c2704a_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="SQF Comment Period " title="SQF Comment Period " style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />Food retailers play a critical role in influencing food safety protocols and expectations between food manufacturers and consumers. The need to limit risk and maintain consumer trust is essential. Grocers must take every measure to protect their customers and their brand, including choosing the food safety certification required of their suppliers.  </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="291803461" paraeid="{fc71e3dd-70af-483b-a3b9-651396fb8ea8}{239}">With more than 10,000 site certificates world-wide, the Safe Quality Food Program continues to be a highly sought-after global food safety and quality certification program for its rigorousness and credibility. Administered by the <a href="https://www.sqfi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Safe Quality Food Institute</a> (SQFI), the SQF Program is the only GFSI (<a href="https://mygfsi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Food Safety Initiative</a>) benchmarked program that receives direct feedback from food retailers at all levels. SQFI, a division of <a href="https://www.fmi.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FMI,</a> is able to incorporate solutions from retailer concerns into the SQF Programs. </p> </div> <div> <div> <h5 paraid="804196727" paraeid="{47cee817-54ba-4029-9e40-3cf38252d183}{39}">New SQF Codes Coming in October. Public Review & Comment Period is Open. </h5> </div> <div> <p paraid="84902918" paraeid="{47cee817-54ba-4029-9e40-3cf38252d183}{47}">There will be 11 new 9.0 Codes introduced in October 2020 with a May 2021 implementation. The public comment period for the SQF Codes Edition 9 has begun, and SQFI is looking to food retailers to provide their insight into issues that matter most to consumers.  </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="168102809" paraeid="{47cee817-54ba-4029-9e40-3cf38252d183}{65}">With the help of the SQF Technical Advisory Council, certification bodies, training centers, and commodity-specific Technical Working Groups, we have updated the SQF Food Safety and Quality Codes to prepare for the future of food safety. We’re excited to announce that Edition 9 will offer a series of customized standards for our principal industry groups in the form of individual SQF Codes for the specific sectors, encompassing the entire supply chain. </p> </div> <div> <h5>We welcome your comments for the following SQF Codes and modules. </h5> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Food-Manufacturing-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Food Manufacturing</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dietary-Supplements-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacture of Dietary Supplements (NEW)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Animal-Processing-ed-9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacture of Animal Products</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pet-Food-Manufacture-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Pet Food Manufacturing</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Food-Packaging-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacture of Food Packaging</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Storage-and-Distribution-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Primary Plant Production</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Storage-and-Distribution-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Storage and Distribution</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Quality-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">The SQF Quality Code</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Food-Packaging-ed9-public-comment.xlsx">SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacture of Feed</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div> <div> <h5><a href="https://www.sqfi.com/resource-center/edition-9-public-comment/?utm_campaign=sqf_edition_9&utm_medium=blog&utm_source=ed9_fmi_blog_07.15.20&utm_content=sqf_edition_9">Public Comment Coming Soon:</a></h5> <ul> <li>SQF Food Safety Code for Livestock Production</li> <li>SQF Food Safety Code for Aquaculture</li> <li>Part A Methodology</li> <li>Appendices</li> </ul> </div> <div> <p paraid="1806251849" paraeid="{47cee817-54ba-4029-9e40-3cf38252d183}{180}">The public comment period will close on July 31, 2020, and the SQF Codes Edition 9 will be launched during the SQF Conference in October. Implementation of the Codes will occur in May 2021. </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1823966117" paraeid="{47cee817-54ba-4029-9e40-3cf38252d183}{194}">We look forward to your input and thank you for your on-going support of the SQF program. </p> </div> <div> <p paraid="1762680554" paraeid="{47cee817-54ba-4029-9e40-3cf38252d183}{200}">For questions regarding the SQF Program or the Edition 9 Public Comment, please contact <a href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.</a>. </p> </div> <a href="https://www.sqfi.com/resource-center/edition-9-public-comment/?utm_campaign=sqf_edition_9&utm_medium=blog&utm_source=ed9_fmi_blog_07.15.20&utm_content=sqf_edition_9" class="button">Submit Your Edition 9 Feedback</a></div>

Read full article on FMI

Menus

Some of the main menus of the template are now set via the template parameters saving you having to set up menu modules for each menu. From this section you can choose what menus you would like connected with these pre assigned menu areas of the template.

Copyright Information

Enter the copyright information that will appear in the footer area of your template.

Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.