Food processing lubricants

A clear note on food-grade lubricants

Lubricants that may touch food by accident are normally required to be registered as food-grade, for example to the NSF H1 standard. Lukeron does not currently list NSF H1-registered products, and we do not describe any of our products as food-grade.

Our standard industrial oils and greases are suited to points that have no contact with food, such as motors, compressors away from the process, utilities, packaging-room drives and plant machinery outside the product zone. For any point where a lubricant could touch food or packaging, use a lubricant registered for that use, and follow your plant's food safety rules.

Where a food plant uses oil and grease

• Conveyor and process gearboxes
• Hydraulic systems on presses, fillers and packaging machines
• Air compressors for plant and instrument air
• Motors, fans and pump bearings
• Chains and drives away from the product zone
• Boiler house and thermic oil heating circuits

Gear oil and hydraulic oil at non-contact points

Gearboxes and hydraulic units outside the product zone usually take an extreme-pressure (EP) gear oil or an anti-wear (AW) hydraulic oil in the grade the machine maker specifies. Keep seals in good order, fix leaks quickly and clean up spills, so oil does not reach the product area.

Compressor oil

Screw and reciprocating compressors need a compressor oil of the right grade. Where compressed air could touch food, plants use filtration and dryers and follow their own food safety rules for the air supply, and the right oil is chosen with that in mind. Tell us your set-up and we will tell you what we can and cannot supply.

Grease for motors and long-run bearings

Motor, fan and pump bearings run for long periods. A lithium-based grease of the right consistency, often NLGI 2 or 3, suits many of them. Do not over-grease. Excess grease can leak and make bearings run hot, and a fixed greasing plan avoids both.

Good practice in a food plant

• Keep lubricants for food-contact points separate and clearly labelled.
• Use dedicated, clean tools and containers for each lubricant.
• Check seals, breathers and guards for leaks.
• Record what is used where, and when.
• Ask your food safety team before you change any lubricant.