Making the grade

Colleen Flanagan of Petro-Canada explains how grade lubricants benefit today’s food manufacturing companies.

What are the key benefits for food manufacturers in using food grade lubricants over traditional solutions?
Colleen Flanagan. One reason food processors switch is safety. By switching to food grade lubricants, processors can have peace of mind knowing that they've taken steps to minimise the risk of contamination. Petro-Canada's food grade approvals are extensive, including, but not limited to H1 registered by NSF International, certified by Star K for use in the preparation of kosher food, certified Halal by IFANCA. Selected products also fit perfectly in HACCP and GMP plans.

PURITY FG with Microl is a new generation of lubricants featuring the first NSF registered H1 lubricant with EPA registered antimicrobial preservative protection available. Microl was developed to inhibit the growth of microbes in the lubricant. PURITY FG with Microl is available as a grease, hydraulic or gear fluid and is the first food grade lubricant on the market that is fully compliant with both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EPA regulatory requirements.

What features and attributes should manufacturers look for when selecting food grade lubricants?
CF. Just like with all lubricant decisions, food manufacturers should carefully do their homework and find the right food grade lubricant for their specific applications. They should take into consideration the lubricant's performance features and key advantages, such as fluid life, wear protection, temperature ranges and antimicrobial protection. They must also ensure that the lubricant is NSF registered and is fully approved, by governing bodies, for use in and around food processing areas.

There are various applications in food processing plants. It's very important that manufacturers find the right lubricant for the application. It's the job of lubricant manufacturers, such as Petro-Canada, to offer a variety of products that meet the demands of every application. At Petro-Canada we pride ourselves in offering a full solution. We carry a complete line of industrial lubricants suitable for ancillary use in food processing plants.

Our food grade lubricants deliver the productivity benefits needed throughout food processing plants, helping processors reduce the risk of contamination and cut down on costly lubricant inventory. In addition, the performance of our food grade lubricants exceeds many of the conventional lubricants on the market today. Food processors know what's best for their specific operation and application. That being said we encourage food processors to really weigh their options, look at the facts and ask questions to see exactly how switching to food grade lubricants can positively influence their operation.

What are the cost implications of selecting food grade lubricants? Do they offer good ROI for manufacturers?
CF. There are incremental costs involved in manufacturing food grade lubricants including the use of only FDA approved ingredients, handling and packaging in a white room and the use of approved food grade packaging materials.

Manufacturers may think that all food grade lubricants and all conventional mineral oils are created equal. However, some high-grade food grade lubricants, such as PURITY FG, have enhanced performance when compared to non-food grade lubricants, which can result in improved protection and lower overall maintenance costs. The food industry presents some unique challenges for lubricants. The demands of increasingly harsh operating conditions and stringent safety restrictions can be a tough balance, but by using premium food grade lubricants that balancing act is made easier. The ROI of using premium food grade lubricants can be demonstrated through reduced downtime, less re-greasing, less product use and reduction of the risk of contamination.

What different applications can food grade lubricants be employed in? Do they offer versatility and flexibility?
CF. PURITY FG includes lubricants for compressors and vacuum pumps, hydraulic fluids and light transmission lubricants, high-performance transmission lubricants, white oils, trolley fluid, multi-function aerosols, greases, light and heavy chain lubricants as well as heat carrier oils. These products harmonise perfectly with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) plans, as all the lubricants conform to the requirements of the NSF H-1, and are certified for use in kosher and halal food manufacturing. In addition, the lubricants have long-lasting protection against rust and high levels of resistance to air, water and the auxiliary products found in the food industry.

Environmental efficacy is another factor in using food grade lubricants that benefits today's food manufacturing companies given that a large number of food grade lubricants are both non-toxic and inherently biodegradable.

Colleen Flanagan is Category Manager (Food Grade Lubricants) at Petro-Canada. She has over 20 years of experience in the oil and lubricants industry, the majority of which has been in the downstream sector with Petro-Canada.