What must milk tankers do before hauling market milk?

Before milk tankers can transport market milk, it is essential for them to be thoroughly washed and tagged. Washing is critical to ensure that any residue from previous loads or contaminants are removed, preventing any potential contamination of the milk being transported. This cleaning process helps maintain food safety standards, which are crucial in the dairy industry to protect public health.

The tagging process serves as an official confirmation that the tanker has been cleaned and is deemed safe for hauling new loads of milk. The tag provides important information about the condition of the tanker, assuring all stakeholders, including producers and consumers, that the milk has been handled properly. Without this dual process of washing and tagging, the integrity and safety of the market milk could be compromised, leading to potential health risks or issues with product quality.

In contrast, simply being tagged without a thorough wash would not guarantee the safety and quality of the milk, and only washing without tagging fails to provide the necessary verification that the tanker's cleanliness has been confirmed. Sealing for freshness is not a requirement specifically tied to the initial transport of milk, making it irrelevant in this context. Thus, the comprehensive approach of washing and tagging is essential for safe and compliant milk transportation.