When is a lubricant food-grade?

Selecting the right lubricant is essential not only to keep equipment running efficiently and cost effectively but also safely AS more Asian companies invest in sophisticated and expensive technology, there is a growing realization in the importance of proper maintenance in order to keep equipment running efficiently and cost effectively. Lubricants are nonfood compounds that are increasingly being used to help maintain optimal operation of high-capital food industry equipment. While lubricants used in the food and beverage industry must perform as their conventional counterparts ?such as reducing friction and wear, preventing rust and corrosion, dissipating heat or providing a heat-sealing effect ?they must also comply with international food standards. In order to select the right lubricants, it is essential to know the requirements for and the differences between food-grade and food-plant lubricants. In general, based on FDA 21 CFR 178.3570, lubricants can be categorized as: H1 lubricants ?Food-grade lubricants that could have incidental contact with food because they are used in filling and processing equipment; H2 lubricants ?Food-plant lubricants that should have no contact with food; they are used on parts of machines that have no possible contact with edible products; and H3 soluble oils ?Products that are applied to certain parts of machines for preventing rust and cleaning purposes; these compounds must then be removed from the parts that come into contact with food or beverages before the machine is operated. Above and below the food line Although the use of lubricants in the food industry is not regulated, recent food safety concerns highlight the need to minimize the risk of harmful contaminants, including nonfood compounds. Among the most important things to remember about lubricants are that H1 is the "above" lubricant and H2 is the "below" lubricant. Food-grade or H1 lubricants are used "above the food line" where there is potential for contact with food, for instance, the gears on overhead conveyor transporting empty bottles. Food-plant or H2 lubricants are used "below the food line" machinery or equipment parts, such as the hydraulics of end-of-the-line palletizers. To prevent the misuse of lubricants, it is important to select and apply them properly. Many processing facilities are converting to full H1 usage in order to prevent contamination accidents, but there are limits even in the application of food-grade lubricants (≤10 ppm). If used as an anti-rust film, these compounds must be removed from the equipment surface, leaving the surface effectively free of any substance that could be transferred to food, according to NSF International. An independent body that manages a registration process for nonfood compounds, NSF maintains a list of H1- and H2-certified lubricants. NSF registration, using FDA guidelines, is becoming an industry standard globally, and it is possible to search their database for certified suppliers. In addition, some manufacturers may require that lubricants also be kosher- or halal- certified. High performance lubricant Hot or cold facilities, and wet or dry environments require different lubricant properties. In high-speed machines such as can seamers, high-performance lubricants must help prevent overheating and provide wear protection. In a high-moisture and high-temperature environment such as tunnel pasteurizers and cookers, thermal stability and rust protection are required lubricant properties. Synxtreme FG Series, a high performance NSF-registered H1 product from Lubriplate, provides long lasting, anti-wear and extreme pressure protection. A 100% synthetic grease based on a calcium sulfonate complex formula, they are highly resistant to water and caustic solution washdowns and provide excellent high and low temperature performance ?making them a multi-purpose food grade lubricant for long lastinHighsnobiety Sneakers