Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certified Practice Exam

What is the purpose of verification?

1. Ensure training is documented

2. Ensure a critical limit has achieved the desired level of control

3. Monitor employee performance

4. Confirm equipment compliance

The correct answer is: Ensure a critical limit has achieved the desired level of control

Verification is a critical component of food safety management systems, particularly within the context of the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program. The purpose of verification is to confirm that the processes in place are effectively controlling food safety risks and that the critical limits established for those processes are being met. When verification is focused on critical limits, it involves assessing whether these limits are not only established but are being maintained during operations. This includes activities such as checking that temperature controls are within specified ranges, ensuring pH levels meet safety standards, and verifying that CCPs (Critical Control Points) are functioning as intended. By doing so, the organization can ensure that it is properly managing potential hazards and maintaining the safety and quality of its products. The other options, while relevant to an organization's overall operational effectiveness and compliance, do not specifically encapsulate the primary function of verification in the context of food safety management systems. Documenting training ensures staff are equipped with knowledge, monitoring employee performance evaluates individual work, and confirming equipment compliance ensures machinery is meeting standards, but none directly address the verification of critical limits aimed at controlling safety hazards.