Transporting food and beverage products in tanker trucks requires strict hygiene standards to prevent contamination and ensure consumer safety. Unlike chemical or industrial tankers, food-grade tankers must be cleaned after every load to remove residues, eliminate bacteria, and comply with stringent food safety regulations.
At LPW Tankwash, we specialise in certified food-grade tank cleaning, ensuring that tankers carrying edible oils, dairy, juices, and other food products meet the highest industry standards. Our LPW Tankwash site in Purfleet is EFTCO-certified, providing assurance that our cleaning processes meet European food transport hygiene requirements.
This guide explores the importance of regular food-grade tank cleaning, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
Why Food-Grade Tankers Need Regular Cleaning
Unlike dry goods transport, liquid food products leave behind residues that can lead to bacterial growth, cross-contamination, and spoilage if not thoroughly cleaned.
Key Reasons for Food-Grade Tanker Cleaning
- Preventing Cross-Contamination – Any remaining residue from a previous load can mix with the next, leading to contaminated and unsafe products.
- Complying with Food Safety Regulations – Government agencies such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) mandate strict hygiene protocols for food transport.
- Eliminating Bacterial Growth – High-moisture environments inside a tanker create the perfect conditions for bacteria, yeast, and mould to multiply rapidly if not properly sanitised.
- Maintaining Product Integrity – Uncleaned tanks can alter taste, smell, and quality, potentially leading to costly product recalls.
Looking for a professional, certified food-grade tank wash? Book a cleaning at LPW Tankwash.
How Often Should a Food-Grade Tanker Be Cleaned?
1. After Every Load
The golden rule in food transport is to clean the tanker after every delivery—no exceptions. This ensures that no residue from previous loads remains and maintains product purity.
2. Before Switching Product Types
Even if the previous and next load are both food-grade, flavour contamination and allergen risks require a full cleaning before switching between different food products.
3. When Transporting High-Risk Products
Certain food products—such as milk, dairy, and sugary liquids—require extra attention due to their ability to ferment, spoil, or leave stubborn residues that bacteria thrive on. These tankers should undergo deep cleaning with high-temperature washes after every trip.
4. Regular Scheduled Deep Cleaning
Even with daily washouts, food tankers should undergo a comprehensive deep clean periodically to remove hidden residues, biofilm, and buildup that regular washes might miss.
Ensure your food-grade tanker meets hygiene standards—book a deep cleaning at LPW Tankwash.
Food-Grade Tank Cleaning: Best Practices
To maintain compliance and product safety, food-grade tankers must be cleaned using specialised processes that go beyond standard washes.
Certified Cleaning Stations Only
Food-grade tankers must be cleaned at certified tank wash facilities that meet HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), EFTCO, and FSA guidelines. LPW Tankwash Purfleet is EFTCO-certified, ensuring that all food-grade washes meet strict European hygiene standards.
High-Temperature Washing
Bacteria can survive on tank surfaces if the cleaning temperature is too low. Industry standards recommend hot water washes above 82°C for effective sanitisation.
Use of Food-Safe Detergents
Cleaning agents must be food-grade approved and thoroughly rinsed to prevent chemical contamination of the next load.
Swab Testing & Quality Control
To verify cleanliness, tanker operators should perform microbiological swab tests at regular intervals to check for contamination.
Food-Grade Tank Cleaning Regulations
Several organisations regulate food tanker hygiene to ensure safe food transportation.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Regulates food hygiene across Europe.
- Food Standards Agency (FSA) – Sets UK food transport safety guidelines.
- EFTCO Cleaning Guidelines – Provides industry-wide best practices for food tanker cleaning.
At LPW Tankwash, we follow all regulatory guidelines to guarantee food-safe cleaning. Want to ensure your tankers meet industry regulations? Schedule a cleaning today.
Why Choose LPW Tankwash for Food-Grade Tank Cleaning?
At LPW Tankwash, we specialise in food-grade tank cleaning only, ensuring the highest levels of hygiene and compliance.
- EFTCO-certified food-grade cleaning at our Purfleet site.
- Certified cleaning that meets industry standards.
- State-of-the-art high-temperature washes for maximum bacterial elimination.
- Fast, efficient service to minimise downtime.
- Specialised in food transport hygiene
Ensuring Hygiene and Compliance for Food-Grade Tankers
For food-grade tankers, cleaning is required after every load to meet strict hygiene regulations and prevent contamination. Cleaning must be performed at certified wash stations using high-temperature sanitisation and food-safe detergents.
At LPW Tankwash, we are food-grade cleaning specialists, ensuring that tankers transporting edible products meet the highest industry standards.
Ensure your food-grade tankers meet hygiene regulations—Book a wash at LPW Tankwash.
