What is TQF?

● What is TQF?

TQF stands for Total Quality Food. Food products are certified as “Total Quality Food" through a rigorous certification system.

TQF currently certifies products in 28 different food categories. The categories included are beverages, the most prominent category, and others such as dairy products, noodles, canned foods, etc. When you go grocery shopping, you may pick up products and see that they have TQF certification marks!

TQF certification aims to ensure food safety and quality management; focusing on the process management of production, the sanitation management of the manufacturing environment and equipment, the inspection of raw materials and products, and the establishment of a food safety management system that focuses on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), which meets the International Food Safety and Quality Management Standards.

● Why do we choose TQF certified products?

To obtain the TQF certification mark, food manufactures must pass two levels.

Level 1 are the requirements of food safety management and Level 2 are the requirements in both food safety management and food quality management. Only products that pass TQF Level 2 certification are allowed to include the TQF certification mark.

The TQF certification process has been strictly audited by a professional third-party organization. At a minimum of twice per year, the FBOs will be audited without warning and random product inspections will also be carried out in the post-market to ensure the quality of TQF-certified products.

The TQF certification program is one of the most stringent certification programs in Taiwa which also internationally recognized. TQF has signed a partnership agreement with the Japan JFSM Association (Japan Food Safety Management Association). This cooperation means that Taiwan's TQF-certified products have reached the Japanese certification level.

● What is TQF Clean ?

The TQF Clean was established for encouraging FBOs to reduce food additives and use natural ingredients as much as possible in their food production.

Products must pass the TQF certification before applying for the TQF Clean label!

TQF Clean encourages FBOs not to use 10 categories of food additives in their products, such as preservatives, fungicides, artificial flavors and sweeteners, etc., and not directly use genetically modified raw materials in making products. This is the most rigorous Clean label standard in Taiwan!

● TQF Certification Program was transfered from food GMP Program

The Food GMP Certification System was established by the Industrial Development Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 1989. In 2015, in response to the increased awareness of food safety in Taiwan, Taiwan food safety and quality management certification turned into an open, transparent and independent certification program. As a result, the "Food GMP Association" were officially transferred to the “Taiwan Quality Food Association” as an independent private-sector.

TQFA created comprehensive and effective food safety and quality management requirements, which chains the entire food industry from raw materials, production, processing, distribution, retailing, and consumption.

The TQF Certification Program has been fully upgraded and is in line with international standards, bringing food safety and quality management to a higher level.