Tanker Wash Guidelines from the Juice Industry

Participating tanker washing/sanitation facilities are required to obtain successful audits at least every twelve months. Such facilities must achieve a “Meets Requirements” or “Meets Requirements with Conditions” rating when using the standardized audit process.

“The use of the audit firms and standardized audits minimizes audit redundancy by multiple juice and beverage companies,” Faison relates. “Moreover, we believe standardized protocols for washing tankers and wash facility auditing, coupled with voluntary industry compliance with these programs, are keys for our members to meet regulatory requirements for safe juice and beverage transportation. These programs are identified by both state and federal regulatory agencies as effective mechanisms that provide the necessary oversight for monitoring safe liquid foods transportation.”

Kosher Compliance Requirements

Faison mentions that, while kosher requirements were not originally considered during the development of the JPA Tanker Wash Code of Practice, guidelines for kosher compliance are now provided. “The JPA is dedicated to insuring the quality and safety of all products produced by our members, including those that market kosher products,” she emphasizes. “To that end, it is the belief of JPA that the Type 2 and Type 3 washes outlined in the guidelines facilitate compliance with kosher law and result in a clean tanker that meets the kosher requirements.”

There are several requirements to ensure a kosher tanker, Faison says, one being that no animal-based products can be hauled except dairy. Another requirement is that the product hauled must not be heated.

“Juice and juice concentrates are transported at ambient or chilled temperatures,” she explains. “JPA consulted with several rabbinical organizations and they confirmed that juice and juice concentrates hauled using equipment cleaned under the JPA Tanker Wash Guidelines, and certified by a rabbinic representative, will be kosher upon arrival at the plant. These rabbinical organizations reviewed the guidelines and made one revision, which requires a Type 5 wash for cleaning tankers that haul wine vinegar or wine alcohol manufactured from grapes.”

In addition to following the Tanker Wash Guidelines, juice transporters are urged to consult with rabbinical organizations about the transport of kosher products as necessary.

“JPA and its members are committed to the safe and sanitary transport of bulk juice and juice products,” Faison emphasizes. “The JPA Tanker Wash Guidelines and associated audit program were developed to assist the industry with achieving this goal. The juice industry recognizes this program as an important tool, as some companies will only contract with a wash facility listed on the tanker wash website.”