Monday, September 10, 2018

General Procedures For A Railcar Kosher Washout CA Orthodox Union Rabbis Will Approve

By Frank Nelson


The rules and restrictions are very clear for those who closely follow the Jewish faith. Orthodox Jews only need to look to the Old Testament to know what God expects of them. He gives them clear instruction in the way food must be prepared and when it may be eaten. These commandments are followed today. For those tasked with transporting kosher products that means a certain protocol must be adhered to. This includes the railcar kosher washout CA railroads undertake.

A kosherization is not required unless rail cars have previously transported non-kosher or non-sourced products. Any car that is already in kosher service is exempt from the procedure. Kosherizations are temperature specific cleanings. They must be completed prior to any orthodox product being placed in a car. An orthodox union rabbi is usually required to attend the kosherization in order to certify that the proper protocol was carried out.

The procedure includes washing the interior of a car and any gauges or valves that touch the interior. There are not particular specifications for this washing other than using a caustic detergent to rid the car of any residue left from the previous products. The rabbi is not required to be present for this washing, but will inspect the car prior to the kosherization.

Nothing requiring kosherization may be heated for twenty-four hours prior to the kosherization. If the initial washing includes hot water, it must be done the day before the procedure. Routine maintenance and any repairs necessary may be done during this time, as long they don't require hot water. After the cleaning is approved, the kosherization can begin.

Rail cars can be kosherized in one of two ways. They can be steamed or baked. Steaming includes the whole interior of the car and the siphon pipe. The vapor that exits the pipe has to maintain a two hundred degree temperature for half a minute. Blow off valves, and any other interior valves and gauges, have to be boiled at two hundred degrees. It is permissible to heat them in an oven.

The second method is baking. In this process the interior of a rail car is heated until the metal temperature reaches 400 degrees. The four hundred degree temperature must be sustained for two hours. The siphon pipe, blow off valve, and manway lid must be heated to the same temperature. It is permissible to place them in the interior of the car as it bakes. It is permissible to heat them in a separate unit.

If the car has to be wiped down with oil after a kosherization, the crew can only use oil approved by the orthodox union. Once the kosherization is complete, the seal numbers for any valve the products will pass through must be sent to the orthodox union office. After these are received, the office issues a kosher certificate.

After these procedures are perfected, railroad yards do them routinely. The protocol can not be deviated from however. There may be instances when a rabbi is not required, but insisting on one is something many yards will do.




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