Understanding Food & Beverage Lubricants

Lubrication Engineers, Inc. (LE) is a leading provider of high-quality lubricants, including a wide range of NSF H1-approved food-grade options. These lubricants are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the food and beverage industry, ensuring safe and efficient operations. This blog is an overview of our eBook, which delves into NSF H1 and USDA H2 compliance standards as well as the importance of food and beverage lubricants.

Why Food-Grade Lubricants are Important for Food & Beverage Industry

Food-grade lubricants are distinct from regular cooking oils and are used to lubricate machinery in food processing plants to prevent contamination and ensure smooth operation. These lubricants must be safe for incidental contact with food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers food contaminated if it has more than 10 parts per million of lubricant.

In the food and beverage industry, contamination is a serious concern that can lead to costly product recalls and damage to a company’s reputation. Over half of all product recalls between 2008 and 2017 were due to biotoxins and chemical contamination. Food-grade lubricants play a crucial role in preventing contamination by reducing the risk of leaks, spills, and over-lubrication. These lubricants are formulated to be safe for incidental contact with food, ensuring that even if a small amount of lubricant does come into contact with food, it will not pose a health hazard.

Types of Food-Grade Lubricants

• NSF H1 lubricants: The NSF H1 standard is specifically designed for lubricants used in food processing plants where there is a potential for incidental contact with food. This includes equipment such as conveyor belts, pumps, mixers, and machinery used in canning, cooking, peeling, slicing, bottling, cutting, and brewing.

• USDA H2 lubricants: These lubricants are used on equipment that indirectly supports food and beverage processing, such as forklifts, and have no chance of direct contact with food.

When selecting a food-grade lubricant, it is essential to consider the specific application and the potential for contact with food. If there is a risk of incidental contact, an NSF H1 lubricant should be used. If there is no chance of contact, an H2 lubricant may be sufficient.

Benefits of Food-Grade Lubricants

• Reduced risk of product recalls: Contamination from lubricants can lead to costly product recalls, which can have a devastating impact on a company’s bottom line. By using food-grade lubricants, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of recalls.
• Maintains efficient operations: Food-grade lubricants are designed to meet the same performance standards as regular lubricants, ensuring that equipment operates smoothly and efficiently. This can help to reduce downtime and improve productivity.
• Safe for incidental contact: Food-grade lubricants are designed to be safe for incidental contact with food, protecting consumers and maintaining the integrity of products.

Food-grade lubricants are essential for protecting food safety and maintaining efficient operations in food and beverage manufacturing facilities. By understanding the different types of food-grade lubricants and their specific applications, businesses can make informed decisions to ensure the safety and quality of their products. To learn more about food-grade lubricants and their common applications, please download our eBook: Understanding Food & Beverage Lubricants