We’re excited to share that Crosby Hops has once again achieved the highest level of Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, underscoring our commitment to providing brewers with hops of unmatched quality and safety. SQF is a rigorous, independent, and voluntary certification that assesses both food safety practices and quality management, ensuring every step of our process meets the most stringent industry standards.

This certification is no small feat—SQF audits our entire food safety and quality management systems. From our robust Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HAACP) plan to detailed traceability practices, SQF demands excellence in every aspect of production. Our ability to track each hop from field to package means we can assure customers exactly what’s in the box and the steps taken to maintain its integrity along the way.

Crosby Hops is the only hop processor to have achieved SQF certification in both the Food Safety and Quality codes. This accomplishment reflects the meticulous work of our production team and our relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. We’re not only meeting today’s standards but are consistently refining our processes to ensure that the next batch is even better.

Here’s a breakdown of what each certification entails and how they differ:

Food Safety Code

The SQF Food Safety Code is focused on preventing hazards and ensuring products are safe for consumption. It requires a comprehensive approach to risk management and systematizes protocols for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating food safety risks. Key components of our Food Safety Code certification include:

• HAACP Plan: A central component of food safety, our Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HAACP) plan identifies potential hazards in our processes and establishes control measures to prevent contamination and ensure safe handling from start to finish.
• Traceability: Traceability allows us to track every hop that enters our system, documenting its journey from the field to the final packaged product. If a safety issue arises, our traceability practices ensure we can quickly and accurately identify the source.
• Process Control & Monitoring: SQF audits our routines and systems to ensure we consistently meet food safety standards, which includes regular inspections, testing, and the calibration of equipment to maintain high-quality standards and prevent contamination.
• Customer Complaints & Corrective Actions: We have a system in place for handling customer feedback and complaints, allowing us to address concerns proactively and continuously refine our processes. The culture of food safety emphasizes accountability, so we strive to go beyond compliance, aiming for improvement at every step.

Quality Code

While the Food Safety Code centers around preventing hazards, the SQF Quality Code is about product excellence. This certification inspects our processes to ensure that we consistently meet or exceed quality standards, and it focuses on various attributes that contribute to a high-quality product. Important aspects of our Quality Code certification include:

• Quality Management System: Our quality management system defines goals, policies, and procedures around quality expectations. This system not only meets SQF standards but serves as the foundation for our commitment to continuous improvement.
• Testing & Inspection: We maintain strict standards for product consistency and excellence. Our team tests and inspects hops throughout the production process to ensure they meet Crosby’s high standards for color, aroma, flavor, and other key quality indicators.
• Calibrated Equipment: Using carefully calibrated equipment, we uphold the consistency and quality of every batch. This level of precision means brewers can rely on our hops to deliver the same high quality from one batch to the next.
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement: The SQF Quality Code places a strong emphasis on continuous improvement, encouraging companies to always look for ways to refine their processes. This aligns with our values at Crosby Hops, where we constantly ask ourselves, "How can we do this even better?"

Why Both Codes Matter

Together, the Food Safety and Quality codes assure our customers of both the safety and the premium quality of our hops. The Food Safety Code provides confidence that every batch is free from contamination and safe to use, while the Quality Code ensures that each hop pellet meets the high standards expected by brewers around the world. This dual certification is more than just an accolade—it’s a commitment to producing hops of the highest possible standard and a guarantee of peace of mind for every customer.