Introduction
A food-grade lubricant, popularly known as FGL, is a special lubricant made up of restricted raw materials and ensures compliance with health and food safety standards. These grades are physiologically inert, tasteless and odorless in nature. They are expected to meet the non-toxicity requirement. Their responsibility is same as any other lubricant i.e., to control friction and wear between the surfaces under extreme conditions like high-loads, varying temperatures, high vibration and exposure to water and chemicals. The food-grade lubricants are available in various forms such as greases, oils, dry films and releasing agents.
Categories of Food-Grade Lubricants
NSF International is the most widely recognized global certification system for food-grade lubricants. Below stated are the NSF categories for selecting the correct food-grade lubricant for one’s applications:
- NSF H1: H1 is the most commonly required classification. The lubricants of this grade are used for the equipment where there is a possibility of incidental contact with the food. They are tasteless and odorless in nature which makes them suitable for accidental and unavoidable contact with food.
- NSF H2: H2 lubricants are used for tools that do not come in direct contact or incidental contact with food. These lubricants are used outside of the processing area and should never be used within the food production zone.
- NSF H3: H3 lubricants are soluble anti-corrosion lubricants. They are used on hooks, trolleys, etc. to prevent them from rust. They must be removed from the surface of these tools before beginning the food production process.
- NSF 3H: 3H lubricants include releasing agents that can have a direct contact with the food such as bread mold release agents, etc.
Which Industries Use Food-Grade Processing Lubricants
It is a misconception that food-grade processing lubricants are only used in the food-grade industry. In reality, it is used in every sector that works directly or indirectly with the food products or their packaging. This includes sectors like beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic, animal-feed, paper and metal packaging.
Why Silicone-Greases are Considered Ideal for Food Processing
Silicone lubricants hold a special place in food-processing applications. Their use is approved in the food-processing applications due to their exceptional performance and characteristics. They are chemically inert in nature and do not react with the food products, packaging materials or the cleaning chemicals during the CIP procedures. They also successfully meet the demanding conditions of the food-processing environment as they are odorless and tasteless which is critical in applications. These lubricants are also approved by NSF H1 and MPI which means that they can be applied to machinery without removing products from the production line which removes the possibility of costly downtime. Products like dry film silicone sprays and silicone lubricants are specifically designed for the lubrication and protection of food handling lines by providing a non-stick and protective coating that resists the contamination. These lubricants also offer exceptional thermal stability and remain effective across a wide range of temperatures. Thus, they are considered ideal for a variety of applications like blast freezer conveyors, to high-temperature baking oven chains.
Key Applications of Food-Grade Silicone Lubricants
Below stated are some of the key applications of food-grade silicone lubricants in the food-processing sector:
- Conveyor Belts and Food Handling Lines: dry film silicone sprays are widely used on the conveyor belts, chutes and food-handling lines as they can reduce friction, prevent the product from sticking and maintain smooth and hygienic operation. They also tend to leave a clean and dry film that avoids attracting dust or debris.
- Bearing and Chain Lubrication: Chain oils based on synthetic formulations are a suitable choice in high-temperature oven applications due to their lower evaporation rate. Silicone-based greases are also ideal for bearings in moderate temperature zones where chemical inertness and water resistance are crucial.
- Rubber Seals and Gaskets: Silicone grease is considered ideal for food-processing rubber seals, O-rings and gaskets as they do not cause swelling of rubber or degrade them unlike other hydro-carbon lubricants. This helps in protecting the integrity of sealing systems in pumps, valves and filling machines.
- Mold Release: NSF 3H silicone-based agents are most commonly used in baking, confectionary and meat processing applications to prevent the food from sticking on molds, pans and processing surfaces.
- Meat Processing Rails: Special food-grade lubricants are designed for meat rail systems to reduce high-performance friction on overhead rail systems used in the meat processing facilities where food contact risk is considered a hazard.
Critical Operating Conditions of Food Processing Plants
Below stated are the 3 critical operating conditions of the food-processing plants:
- Water and Chemical Exposure (CIP Cleaning): Cleaning-in-Place procedures tend to expose lubricated bearings, chains and gears to water and cleaning chemicals directly. Thus, in these cases, greases with high water resistance are used.
- High-Temperature Applications: Appliances like bread ovens, sterilizing ovens and coffee roasters can reach up to high temperatures which results in the rapid carbonization of mineral-based lubricants. Thus, in these cases, synthetic lubricants or fluorinates greases are a considered ideal choice.
- Low Temperature Applications: Appliances like freezing tunnels and cold storage areas can reach extremely low temperatures which mineral lubricants can’t withstand and crystalize. Thus, high-viscosity index PAO-based synthetic greases are the only reliable solution for these cases.
Take Away
This is the brief explanation about food-processing lubricants, their categories, industries using them, their key applications and importance of silicone lubricants in the food-processing industry. We hope this information will be effective for you. Please let us know through your valuable feedback and the suggestion in the drop box.