Food and beverage processing and packaging accounts for an estimated 2 percent to 3 percent of global lubricants demand – perhaps 750,000 to 1.1 million metric tons a year in all, according to LubesnGreases sources. That sounds like small potatoes, but companies that cater to the food industry say it is a high-value niche that is seeing above-average growth, due to the rise of food processing worldwide and the need for lubricants that meet food-safety standards while delivering higher performance.
The European Lubricating Grease Institute and National Lubricating Grease Institute have been active in this area for more than 15 years, yet both groups members report that confusion and misinformation abounds regarding food-grade lubricants, especially surrounding regulatory requirements, labelling standards, product registration programs and proper selection of H1 lubricants. H1 lubricants are defined under U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules, and should be used wherever lubricants can come into incidental – not expected – contact with foodstuffs.
To assist lubricant suppliers and end users in their respective tasks of describing and selecting food-grade lubricants, the ELGIs Food Grade Lubricants Working Group last month issued the following document for public use. Its goal is to reduce false claims and misleading advertising, as well as provide a basis for education of lubricant buyers and sellers. For example, ELGI reminds buyers to verify product credentials, and urges that the term food-grade be reserved exclusively for H1 products.
Food lubricants are among the most crucial products in the food chain; small volumes with high impact, ELGI Chairman Terry Dicken, of Global Lubricants, and Fragols Andre Adam, who chairs the ELGI working group, said in a joint statement. As food safety is more and more in the center of the news, we as an industry must continue to react and be proactive. It is in the industries interest to cooperate with decision makers to define and meet global standards.
The documents scope goes beyond food processing alone, they added. In this paper, the reference to the food industry includes food, beverage preparation & filling, animal feed and foods, personal care products and the pharmaceutical industry, the two emphasized. This can be extended to cover any production facility that wishes to operate in or supply to the food chain, for example a mineral preparation company supplying to the food supplement sector. For simplicity throughout, reference is made to the food industry.
Following is the complete position paper, as underwritten by ELGI, which offers definitions and advice on the selection and usage of food-safe lubricants. For information, visit www.elgi.org.
The Selection and Usage ofFood Safe Lubricants
Herewith please find the descriptions for some common terms relating to lubricants used in the food industry:
H1. The term for Lubricants for incidental food contact, fits in the HACCP plan with maximum incidental levels of lubricant presence in the food stuff as defined by the FDA.
H2. The term for Lubricants NOT for food contact. Does not fit in any HACCP plan.
H3. The term for Lubricants used as rust protective for hooks and knives and defined as soluble oils. Must be wiped off prior to equipment use. Not for food contact.
3H. The term for Mould Release Lubricants. Maximum levels of lubricant present in the food defined by the FDA.
NSF and InS. Two organizations that internationally register H1 lubricants and list registered products on their websites.
E.H.E.D.G. The European Hygienic Equipment Design Group is a consortium of equipment manufacturers, food industries, research institutes as well as public health authorities. The principal goal of EHEDG is the promotion of safe food by improving hygienic engineering and design in all aspects of food manufacture.
E.H.E.D.G. Document 23. This document [Production and Use of Food Safe Lubricants] describes best practice for food producers on how to use lubricants and how to limit and or avoid contamination. It also presents a flow chart and check list for moving to food safe lubricants. See www.ehedg.org and click on Guidelines for downloads. [Part 2 of the document addresses best practice for production of H1 registered lubricants.]
H.A.C.C.P. Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points. The methodology for defining and controlling present or potential hazards in food production.
ISO 21469. The International Standards program for H1 lubricant producers. The point where HACCP applies to the lubricant industry itself.
ISO 22000. A management systems standard developed for food producers. Not applicable for equipment, lubricant and maintenance part suppliers.
Some Questions Answered
Q. What lubricants should I use in my food production plant?
A. H1 lubricants, also known as incidental contact lubricants. They are not expected to, but may occasionally come into contact with food under normal use conditions. As per requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), H1 lubricants must comply with 21 CFR 178.3570. This regulation establishes formulary requirements for greases and lubricants intended for use in food processing and handling applications where incidental contact may occur.
Q. Are H1 Lubricants FDA Approved?
A. No, the FDA does not approve or register lubricants. The ingredients comply with FDA Regulation 178.3570 or 21 CFR 178.3570.
Q. How do lubricants impact on my HACCP plan?
A. Again, H1 lubricants, also known as incidental contact lubricants, are not expected to, but may occasionally come into contact with food under normal use conditions. As per requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), H1 lubricants must comply with 21 CFR 178.3570. This regulation establishes formulary requirements for greases and lubricants intended for use in food processing and handling applications where incidental contact may occur.
Q. If my product is an H2 grease is it Food Grade?
A. No, the terminology Food Grade is only acceptable for H1 products. H2 products are lubricants and greases not suitable for food contact.
Q. If my product is a 3H product, can I use as much as I want in direct contact with the food?
A. No. 3H products are also subject to similar limitations specific by application. FDA Regulation 21 CFR 172.878 specifies the limits for each application and should be referred to.
Q. What if my lubricant is 3H, surely that is safe?
A. If you use the product to lubricate a mechanical part – such as a bearing, chain, slide etc. – then this is covered by H1. As stated earlier, these are incidental contact products so subject to limitations.
Remember, the use of the product has to be taken into account. It is not safe to assume 3H products can be used with little care; if they are designed to be used as equipment lubricants they usually have H1 registration too.
Q. Should I use H1 lubricants across my facility? What about applications below the production line?
A. Your HACCP assessment is the ultimate guide to this. From a safety point, it is advisable and recommended to use H1 lubricants across all feasible applications, so reducing risk by minimizing any possible use of non-H1 lubricants.
This applies below the production line too. Again, it is about reducing the risk of contamination and running a lubrication program as cleanly as possible.
Q. How do I change to H1 lubricants from my current products?
A. Firstly, partner with an appropriate high quality lubricant supplier. They should then be in a position to advise on the correct lubricant choice and methodology.
EHEDG Document 23 Guidelines [Production and Use of Food Grade Lubricants] provide comprehensive guidance on the changeover and the multiple aspects that should be taken into account.
Q. What is ISO 21469, and is it relevant?
A. ISO 21469 sets out hygiene requirements for H1 incidental food contact lubricants. This covers the full product lifespan of formulation, manufacture, use and lubricant handling. Manufacturers with ISO 21469 certification have had all of these aspects externally assessed and are certified to be of appropriate high quality. Assessment is annually, so current certification can be assessed.
As for relevance, this certification shows that the product along with processes associated to the product have been assessed. This provides an assurance of process and product quality beyond H1 registration.
Making the Right Choices
In summary, H1 lubricants internationally recognised for incidental food contact are recommended for use in food, feed and pharmaceuticals production and handling. To ensure a smooth process, select a reputable lubricant partner with the right products.
Next, verify that the chosen products are registered to the appropriate use category. This should be confirmed and registrations supplied. These can also be verified at www.insservices.eu or www.nsfwhitebook.org, for example.
In usage and storage, adopt a multiple-level control procedure. Firstly, the product names, then an identification with the lubrication point such as color coding or numbering.
Next, use dedicated lubrication and filling equipment. Cross-contamination should be avoided at all times to ensure product quality. One method is to adopt color-coded equipment and lubrication points.
Seek assistance with your HACCP plan from your lubricant supplier. High quality documentation, assistance with lubricant usage minimization and control procedures should be available.