I. Regulations & Safety Certifications: The Benchmark for Ingredient Selection

Compliance is the core premise for food-grade lubricant application. The applicability of lubricants in food processing equipment depends on the following authoritative international certifications:

1. NSF H1 Standard

   Applicable to lubricants for incidental food contact. All ingredients must comply with FDA 21 CFR regulations to ensure no health risks from trace ingestion.

2. ISO 21469 Standard

   It covers not only lubricant formula requirements but also production environment cleanliness, packaging safety and cross-contamination control, realizing dual supervision of ingredients and the whole production process.

3. Other Regulatory Requirements

   EU (EC 1935/2004): Prohibits harmful ingredient migration from food-contact materials. U.S. FSMA: Implements full-chain food safety supervision across the supply chain.

II. Classification of Food-Grade Lubricant Ingredients

Food-grade lubricants consist of three core components: base oil, thickener and additives. All raw materials are strictly selected to balance mechanical performance and food safety.

1. Base Oil (Determines 80% of Lubricant Performance)

   Accounting for over 70% of lubricant composition, base oil dominates oil film strength, volatility resistance and overall cleanliness.

   White Oil: Highly refined mineral oil, odorless, colorless and chemically stable, suitable for general working conditions.

   PAO (Polyalphaolefin): Excellent oxidation stability and low-temperature fluidity, ideal for cold storage environments.

   Synthetic Ester: Outstanding high-temperature resistance with stable lubricating film, perfect for baking equipment.

2. Thickener (Skeleton Structure of Grease)

   All food-grade greases must meet NSF H1 standards. Common types include:

   Aluminum Complex Soap: Superior water resistance, suitable for humid and frequently cleaned working environments.

   Polyurea: Stable performance under high temperatures, widely used for conveyor chains.

3. Additives (Low Dosage, High Value)

   Small-proportion additives determine lubricant service life and protection performance, all adopting non-toxic food-grade formulas:

   Antioxidants: Delay lubricant aging

   Corrosion & Rust Inhibitors: Protect metal equipment surfaces

   Anti-wear Agents: Reduce friction (phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine free)

III. Prohibited Ingredients List

Ingredients that pose safety hazards are strictly prohibited in food-grade lubricants:

• Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium): Cause severe health risks upon ingestion
• Chlorinated graphite, molybdenum disulfide: High anti-wear performance but non-food-grade
• Aromatic solvents, untreated mineral oil: Contain unstable hydrocarbons with major safety hidden dangers

IV. How Ingredients Affect Practical Performance

• Lubricity: Synthetic ester withstands high temperatures and prevents carbon deposition on baking chains.
• Aging Resistance: PAO base oil extends service life and reduces lubricant replacement frequency.
• Food Safety: All additives comply with FDA dosage limits.

Lubricant ingredients define the equipment’s high and low temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and the overall food safety level of the factory.

V. Correlation Between Global Standards and Ingredient Compliance

• NSF H1: Mandates edible-grade ingredient safety (not for human consumption)
• ISO 21469: Standardizes full-process production management to avoid cross-contamination
• HACCP: Requires complete safety technical documents (SDS) for all applied lubricants

VI. FUCHS Solution: Rigorous Ingredients for Safe Formulas

FUCHS CASSIDA food-grade lubricant series features reliable and safe formula design:

• Adopts high-purity base oil and FDA-compliant safe additives
• Dual certified by NSF H1 and ISO 21469 for all products
• Balances efficient anti-wear protection and energy-saving performance to extend service intervals

VII. FAQ: How to Verify Authentic Food-Grade Lubricants

• Check valid NSF H1 certification numbers
• Request formal formula compliance statements from suppliers
• Reject uncertified or mislabeled lubricant products