Whether it’s food products, industrial products such as glycerin, or other items involved in the manufacturing of kosher products, transportation of these products and ingredients must also take place in kosher certified railcars, tanker trucks, and other modes of transportation. To ensure ISO tanks and other equipment is kosher certified, they must undergo a kosher maintenance wash. As to why these washes need to occur, there are numerous reasons.
Is a Kosher Tank Wash the Same as a Kashering?
No, a regular kosher tank wash is not the same as a kashering. A kashering is an upgraded wash, while a kosher tank wash is simply a tank cleaning with an approved wash, which helps to keep the status quo of the tank. In addition, kashering is done in the presence of a mashgiach, who can certify the washing of the transport vehicle or tank was sufficient.
Tankers and Tank Wash Stations
At some facilities, tankers are dedicated solely to the transportation of kosher products and ingredients. This can include ingredients for food products as well as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, which can range from corn syrup and gelatin to lubricants, oils, and polyethylene. At Industrial Kosher, we know the importance of ensuring the transportation used for kosher products is held to the highest standards. To accomplish this, we conduct regular audits of truck depots, using mashgichim to ensure trucks carry only kosher commodities.
Kosher Truck Wash Requirements
For a kosher upgrade wash, it is done so under the supervision of a Jewish rabbi. An easy way to make a non-kosher tanker certified, a standard cleaning is done, followed often by a high heat rinse. For a standard clean, all liquid is removed and specific cleaners are used to rid the tanker of debris. Afterward, it is left empty for at least 24 hours.
When a high heat rinse is used, this is considered to be a more proper kosher wash. After being empty for 24 hours, a 20-minute freshwater rinse at 200 degrees with a high-pressure steam hose completes the rinse. Afterward, a rabbi supervises the sanitizing of the tanker. This procedure can also be used on railcars and ISO tanks, provided proper wash facilities are available.
What if a Tanker is Not Certified?
If a mashgiach determines that a tanker was not certified during the transportation of products or ingredients, the product may or may not be accepted as kosher. However, if the product in question was a heated product, the situation can become more complex. In most cases, acceptance will come down to whether or not the cargo was transported at an ambient temperature. When these situations occur, a certifying rabbi will evaluate the transportation process, then decide if the necessary criteria for kosher standards have been met.
Obtaining Kosher Tanker Certification
To make trailers, railcars, and ISO tanks kosher certified, scheduled and unscheduled inspections are conducted by a rabbi from Industrial Kosher. By reviewing kosher wash tickets and truck logs, the rabbi can verify that kosher standards are being upheld in the transportation of products and ingredients. To continue having a kosher certification on their transportation methods, companies are required to submit records and other documentation regularly, all of which are reviewed by a rabbi.
Certified Fleets
Finally, if a tanker is not part of a kosher-certified fleet, it may still be able to transport kosher products and commodities. If the mashgiach has obtained a kosher upgrade wash ticket before a product is loaded, transportation can proceed. For best results, it is recommended a kashering take place in the presence of a mashgiach.
Since kosher truck wash requirements can be complex, it is best to work with a kosher certification company that understands these complexities and can help your company follow proper procedures. To learn more about kosher certification for your company and how your transportation methods can maintain high kosher standards, contact us at Industrial Kosher.
