Content area
Full Text
Lubricants are essential for beverage industry machinery, but a few drops in the wrong place can cause long-lasting problems.
Although good maintenance and operational practices can reduce incidents where lubricants contaminate beverages, accidents still can occur. And sometimes leaks are not always obvious. Any plant that still uses non-food-grade lubricants is at risk. The worst- case scenario would be a product contamination incident that results in a product recall and damage to your brand. But even common, minor lubricant leaks can have a significant impact.
The main reason that food-grade synthetic lubricants - used widely overseas - are gaining favor in the United States is because they offer distinct operational advantages.
Although initially more expensive, such lubricants can prolong oil-service life, reduce downtime thus increasing productivity. They can withstand temperature extremes and can be designed for specialized applications.
Many synthetic lubricants have been certified as being food grade. If a beverage plant or cannery uses a non-food grade lubricant, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) tolerance for contamination is zero. Any incidental contact between the lubricant and the beverage could force destruction of the entire batch. If food-grade lubricants are used, the FDA will allow contamination of up to 10 parts per million.
The FDA has identified a list of safe components used in the manufacturing of food grade lubricants. NSF International maintains the Class H1 list of food-grade lubricants that can be used in the machinery in beverage plants and canneries.
Beverage industry requirements
Synthetic food-grade lubricants for use in rotary can seamers were developed in concert...