Food-Grade Trailer

A food-grade trailer is a refrigerated or dry trailer that has been cleaned, sanitized, and inspected to meet the standards required for safe food transportation. While there is no single federal certification for food-grade status, the term refers to trailers that comply with the FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule and meet the specific requirements of the shipper's food safety program, including being free from previous cargo residue, odors, structural damage, and potential contaminants.

Requirements for food-grade status typically include a clean and intact interior floor with no holes, cracks, or standing water; walls and ceiling free from stains, mold, and structural damage; functioning and properly sealed doors; no residual odors from previous loads; no evidence of pest activity; and documented washout records showing the trailer was cleaned since its last non-food load.

Washout and Inspection

Trailers that have carried non-food cargo such as chemicals, waste, or industrial materials must undergo a thorough washout at a certified truck wash facility before being used for food transportation. The washout process includes pressure washing the interior with hot water and approved detergent, sanitizing all surfaces, inspecting for damage and contamination, and documenting the washout on a certificate that travels with the trailer.

Shippers with strict food safety programs may require additional measures beyond basic food-grade standards. These can include dedicating trailers exclusively to food transportation, requiring trailers to carry a detailed previous-load history, and conducting visual inspections at the time of loading. Some receivers reject trailers that do not meet their food-grade standards, resulting in refused deliveries and TONU charges that could have been avoided with proper trailer qualification.