Glossary of Bulk Oil Terms

A dispensing valve and hose system created by Centra Foods to help dispense oil out of tote simply and cleanly.  These systems are not currently sold separately from the oil totes.

A supply chain is a network between a company and its suppliers to produce and distribute a specific product. The supply chain represents all steps required to get the product or service to the customer. Supply chain management is a crucial process because an optimized supply chain results in lower costs and a faster production cycle.

A set of questions designed to gather information about a supplier’s/vendor’s quality control and distribution practices. This documentation is often a part of a food manufacturer’s annual QA requirements for all vendors.

Oil made from sunflower seeds.  Depending on the variety of seed, this oil may be classified as high oleic, mid oleic or linoleic.

A document that explains the recommended way to store a product, including the best temperature to keep it at, the best packaging to store it in and circumstances to help avoid.  For example with olive oil, that it’s best to keep it out of sunlight and to keep it minimally exposed to oxygen.  Storage recommendations will often indicate the shelf life or “best by” timeframe you can expect from an ingredient.

The specialty food industry often focuses on international foods imported into the US.  This includes gourmet foods like pastas, sauces and other delicacies from Italy and Europe.  It also includes regional specialties from a particular country.  It overlaps with the natural food industry, but focuses more on international and gourmet foods than on the importance non-gmo or organic qualities.

Oil made from soybeans. These soybeans can be grown with the aid of genetic modification or now, they are available in non-GMO varieties.

A statement from a supplier, vendor or manufacturer stating that their products have not been produced with the use of sewage sludge as a part of the production process.

See MSDS.  SDS is a shorthand for Safety Data Sheet.  The official term for MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) has recently changed to SDS (Safety Data Sheet), but the document remains the same.

Saturated fats are fat molecules that have no double bonds between carbon molecules because they are saturated with hydrogen molecules. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.  Saturated fats occur naturally in many foods; the majority come mainly from animal sources, including meat and dairy products. Natural oils that are high in saturated fats include coconut oil and palm oil.