Did you know there’s a demand for lubricants to service the machinery and fleets of the agricultural and food production industry? Chances are, if you’re a butcher, a baker, farmer or beverage maker, you know that food grade lubricants are an essential ingredient in the mix.
So, what is a food grade lubricant? That’s a somewhat complicated question. The short answer is that not all lubricants are safe to use in the equipment and machinery used to produce food. Because the oil, grease and lubricants used in food production machinery could, through incidental contact, get mixed into the food, it must be deemed safe.
In the past, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) set safety standards for use of food grade lubricants that would come into contact with dairy and other food products. The standards cover use of lubricants, guidelines about additives used in the lubricants, product formulations, and how the lubricant can be used on the machinery.
Therefore, a food grade lubricant meets safety standards for use in the machinery and equipment used to process edible items. A lubricant that meets the standard is classified as an “H1” lubricant. There is also a registration process around lubricants and other nonfood compounds used in food production.
This helps to limit the risk of contamination, injury, and liability. It also meets a growing “hunger” or demand for the highest quality of safety and production for groups with specialized standards, such as those producing allergen friendly, kosher and halal certified foods.
What other applications are food grade lubricants used for? In general, the lubricants are most commonly used in the following industry areas:
– Animal Feed Industry
– Dairy Industry
– Bakeries
– Beverage Producers and Breweries
– Meat and Poultry Industry
– Edible Oil Processing Industry
– Food-associated processing plants
– Pharmaceuticals
But note, that list isn’t exhaustive. And although there aren’t currently penalties or requirements to use food grade lubricants, the market is moving in that direction due to increasing demand from both manufacturers and consumers.
How to choose the right food grade lubricant
So, what are the concerns around food grade lubricants? First, it helps to understand how the lubricants are used. The food industry has a need for gear oils, chain oils, compressor oils, hydraulic fluids and vacuum pump oils for equipment, just as any other manufacturer would. There are also specialty uses, such as can seamer oils.
And just as most manufacturers have varied fleets equipment, so do food manufacturers. Therefore, we run into concerns that are like those of operators that use non-food grade lubricants that no single oil or lubricant will be right for all of their machinery, and under all conditions.
There are questions around use, compliance, and which lubricant additives fall into the H1 category and are safe. So, where do you go for information?
You can visit this website to learn more about standards for food grade lubricants. However, we know that it can seem like a complicated process to review the lubricants and additives individually. It’s certainly time consuming. That’s why we also offer information and advice to help our customers get the answers they need.
As a commercial fuel and lubricant supplier in California, we have the products, service standard, and expertise to answer all of your questions. If you’re searching for food grade lubricants, we can help. And if you need information to help you choose the right lubricants for a varied fleet of equipment, we can help you make the right decisions.
Also, be sure to check out our recent blog choosing the right lubricant for agricultural applications, “You Reap What You Sow: The Right Lubricants For Agricultural Equipment Pays Off.”
Finally, please don’t hesitate to visit us online and/or give us a call if you are looking for a quality food grade lubricant for your equipment. Our team here at Greg’s Petroleum Service is here to help.