What are Food Grade Lubricants?

Today’s food grade lubricants meet the same standards and performance levels of standard lubricants. These specialist lubricants can be used with confidence in all food grade applications

A food grade lubricant is designed for use in equipment operating in food manufacturing and processing plants where incidental food contact is possible. Food grade lubricants are manufactured from highly refined white mineral oils and other specific oils which are suitable for use in these applications.

Why are food grade lubricants so important?

Safety is a critical aspect of food manufacturing and processing. Ensuring the finished product is free of contamination and suitable for human consumption is critical to the marketing of such products.

Food grade products provide some insurance for food manufacturers and processors as an allowed contamination limit of 10 ppm is set for these products. The same allowance does not apply for standard lubricants.

Most food manufacturing companies operate a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Program of which lubricants are a critical factor. Ensuring food grade lubricants are used throughout this program will maintain required standards and assist considerably during food safety audits and inspections.

Consequences of contamination in food products can be catastrophic to any food producer in this position. A major contamination issue can have the following effects on all businesses associated with this product:

Retailer: 5.9 weeks
Product: 9.5 weeks
Manufacturer: 10.9 weeks
Country of Origin: 11.7 weeks.

What aprovals do food grade lubricants need to meet?

The NSF (National Sanitory Foundation – USA) is the international certification for food grade lubricants. Based on parameters set by the FDA (Food and Drug Association) they verify all compounds used in the lubricant and certify the product. To market a food grade lubricant the NSF registration is mandatory.

The 3 major NSF Certifications are H1, H2, and 3H

H1: Approved for incidental food contact. This relates to those products which are used in food processing areas where incidental food contact is possible with a maximum 10 ppm contamination acceptance.

H2: For machinery used on site at food manufacturing or processing plants but where no food contact is possible.

3H: Relates to lubricants which come into contact with the finished food product during the manufacturing process.

New Zealand also has its own certification scheme controlled by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). This scheme mirrors that of NSF but is important to New Zealand food manufacturers and processors. The MPI scheme has 4 categories related to lubricants, C11/ C13/ C15/ C26.

C11/ C13 is equivalent to NSF H2 and relates to standard lubricants that are used on site in food manufacturing or processing plants, but not where incidental food contact is possible.

C15 is equivalent to NSF H1 and relates to food grade lubricants used in areas where incidental contact with food products is possible, allowing a level of 10 ppm contamination.

C26 is equivalent to NSF 3H and relates to those food grade lubricants which make contact with the product during the manufacturing process.

Types of lubricants used for food grade products

The oils used can include white mineral oils, polyalphaolefins (PAO), Polyalkylene glycol (PAG), esters, and silicones.
Additives used in the formulation cannot be heavy metals (i.e. lead, mercury, arsenic etc.), odorants, carcinogenic or mutagen compounds.
Approved grease thickeners are stearate aluminium, aluminium complex, organo-clay, polyurea, calcium complex, fluorinated.
Lithium grease or greases containing molybdenum disulfide are not approved.

MOSH/MOAH levels in food grade products

As our customer concerns are also ours, TotalEnergies NZ is following closely the evolution of global recommendations and regulations on the MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) content in the final food product.

The international specification for food grade lubricants is NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) which verifies all compounds used in the formular and validates to FDA (Food & Drug Administration) regulations.

MOSH/ MOAH levels are not considered in the NSF approval process. There are limits being set in some jurisdictions regarding MOSH Moah levels. To date the food grade lubricants produced by TotalEnergies are compliant with these limits.

The presence of MOSH/ Moah compounds in lubricants is a subject which our NZ Technical team is very conversant with and are available to answer any questions on this topic.

TotalEnergies food grade products:

The Total Nevastane range of oils and greases are NSF H1 Certified and MPI Approved C15. They are designed to be used in food processing areas where incidental food contact is possible. The Nevastane range includes oils designed for hydraulics, vacuum pumps, airlines, gears, compressors, chains, and conveyor belts. A range of greases consisting of calcium, aluminium complex and calcium complex soap thickeners.

The Total Finavestan range is pharmaceutical white oils meeting NSF 3H and MPI Approved C26. They are used as a food processing aid, release agent, general lubricating oil, and defoamer. They are manufactured to Pharmacopoeia specifications and are additive free.

The Cargo range of products includes food grade oils, greases and sprays meeting NSF H1 and MPI Approved C15. Cargo oil products are designed for use in hydraulics, gears, vacuum pumps, compressors, airlines, sliding surfaces, heat transfer systems and sugar dissolving. A range of greases to cover all the requirements of food manufacturing equipment. A range of sprays designed for a variety of applications where spray lubrication is essential and meets the required lubrication needs of that equipment.

Expert Techincal Advice

If you’re unsure which food grade lubricant is right for your equipment, contact our team pf technical experts for specific and accurate advice and product recommendations tailored to your business and equipment.