Keeping Food Safe: How Food Grade Lubricants Make a Difference
Every food or beverage product on a supermarket shelf has passed through a maze of machinery – mixers, conveyors, pumps, and packaging lines. Keeping all of that equipment running safely and smoothly depends on one small but vital component: food grade lubricants. When it comes to food and beverage production, cleanliness and safety aren’t just a simply priorities, they are essentials.
In this blog, we’ll break down what food grade lubricants are, the main types used in the industry, how to choose the right one, and how Rymax helps manufacturers maintain high performance.
What Are Food Grade Lubricants?
Food grade lubricants are specially developed oils and greases developed for machinery used in food, drink, and packaging production. These lubricants are made to reduce friction and wear while being safe for any accidental contact with food. These products are used in the food industry, from bakeries and dairies to poultry, meat, confectionery, beverages, and frozen food production, ensuring both performance and hygiene.
What Does NSF Certification Mean?
NSF International is a global organization that ensures products used in food environments meet strict safety standards. When a lubricant receives NSF registration, it signifies that the product meets the necessary health and safety criteria and helps manufacturers stay compliant with hygiene regulations. Specifically, registration as NSF H1 means the lubricant is safe for incidental contact with food. This certification gives peace of mind that the lubricant supports both equipment performance and food safety.
In addition to NSF certification, many food processors also require Halal and Kosher–registered lubricants to meet diverse regulatory and customer expectations. These approvals confirm that the lubricants comply with strict religious and hygienic standards, letting manufacturers operate confidently in global markets.
At Rymax, we understand the demanding conditions found in food manufacturing, which is why our food grade lubricants are developed to meet NSF H1 standards, as well as Halal and Kosher. Our range covers nearly every lubrication need in the food industry, from hydraulics to chains, gear drives, bearings, air compressors, and many more.
Types of Food Grade Lubricants
Just like other industrial lubricants, food grade lubricants are available in several types, each formulated for specific equipment and processes within the food and beverage industry. From hydraulic systems to conveyor chains, each type plays a vital role in ensuring reliable operation, efficiency, and product safety. For a practical example of how these lubricants support real-world applications, refer to the bakery brochure, which highlights food-grade lubricant solutions for baking processes.
Food Grade Oils
Food-grade oils cover various applications such as hydraulic, gear, compressor, and multipurpose lubrication amd others, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operation throughout food-processing environments. Rymax offers a focused yet comprehensive portfolio, featuring Hydra AW FG 46 and FG 68 for smooth hydraulic movement and long-term component protection, Gevitro FG 150 and FG 460 for reliable performance under high-load gear conditions, and Boreas PAO FG 100 and FS FG 68 to maintain clean, efficient air compressor operation. Complementing these are versatile multipurpose solutions like Multilube FG 15 and FG 68, which help simplify maintenance while providing dependable protection against wear, corrosion, and friction across multiple machine components.
Food Grade Greases
Aluminum Complex: This is often cited as the most common grease thickener used in H1 food-grade greases. It is highly valued for its excellent water resistance, high-temperature performance (high dropping point), and good shear stability all crucial properties in food processing environments that involve frequent wash-downs and high operating temperatures.
Calcium Sulfonate: Greases using the calcium sulfonate thickener have seen increasing production in recent years and are also highly common in food-grade formulations (H1). Their key advantages include outstanding water resistance, excellent corrosion protection, and good load-carrying and extreme pressure (EP) properties without requiring traditional EP additives, which is beneficial for food-safe formulations.
While oils handle circulation systems and enclosed mechanisms, food-grade greases such as our Aludax FS FG and Casdax FS FG are developed for areas that require strong adhesion and water resistance. They are typically used on bearings, conveyors, and sliding contacts in washdown zones, providing lasting protection against water, corrosion, and mechanical stress. Even in humid or wet conditions, these greases maintain their consistency and ensure smooth, reliable operation.
Last But Not Least
Food grade lubricants may operate behind the scenes and stay unnoticed, but their importance to food safety and operational efficiency is undeniable. With Rymax’s high-performance solutions, manufacturers all around the world can:
- Protect equipment
- Maintain compliance
- Reduce downtime
- Safeguard consumers
Whether you’re upgrading lubrication standards or meet stricter hygiene requirements, Rymax Lubricants provides the technology, expertise, and premium products to help you achieve it.
