Raise the level of food safe industrial products

A The unique challenge in the food and beverage processing industry is the requirement for preventive maintenance on machines that have the potential to cause trace contamination in products.

The Australian and New Zealand Food Statistics Council found that 55% of product recalls were caused by chemical, foreign matter, or biological contamination between 2008 and 2017, resulting in millions of dollars in lost profits for manufacturers . ¹

Companies are also at risk of falling out of favor with their customers when a recall is announced, so special attention should be paid to the management of chemicals, greases and lubricants used in a food processing environment and drinks.

In the face of increasing recall concerns among manufacturers, Queensland-based Candan Industries has taken steps to expand its STAINLESS STEEL range of food grade lubricants with the aim of greatly reducing the risk of accidental contamination.

As a national distributor of INOX products, BSC is working with officials and representatives to promote their range of food safe oils and fats in the food and beverage industry across Australia, says Steve Keown, BSC National Product Manager for lubricants.

“INOX offers three key product formulas developed for machine maintenance in food factories: MX3 FG, MX5 and MX6,” said Keown.

“MX3 FG is a versatile penetrating oil spray, ideal for threads and switches for corrosion protection.

“MX5 is an extreme pressure lubricant that contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for high load applications including drilling and high speed machining. While MX6 is a food grade bearing grease that contains a PAO based oil and clay thickener which is excellent for bearings, chains, sprockets, gear seals, hinges and bushings .

“INOX’s food grade range is fully NSF certified with an H1 rating, for maximum protection of the products manufactured; and in some cases, we have found that these lubricants can improve the performance of machined equipment.

In recent years, the Australian Department of Agriculture has strengthened standards and regulations for industrial products that will be used in the food manufacturing and processing sectors, aligning more closely with the United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture (USDA) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

The USDA mandated food grade designation for an H1 product means that the approval and registration of a lubricant is dependent on the ingredients of the product.

If a lubricant is intended for use in food processing environments where there is a risk of accidental contact, the formulation should contain only approved base oils, additives, and thickeners listed in the Code of Federal Regulations section. USDA: 21 CFR 178.3750.

Lubricants are mixtures of base oils and low levels of additives.

Three types of base oils used to formulate food grade lubricants are highly refined pure mineral oils from natural petroleum deposits, synthetic base oils such as polyalphaolephines (PAO), polyalkalene glycols (PAG) and silicones, and vegetable oils. castor, palm, soy, canola and sunflower oils.

According to Steve, there is a need to modify base oils with additives so that they can work as an effective lubricant. Additives are small but essential ingredients for high quality oil and fat.

They are selected based on performance requirements and possible interactions with oils and other additives.

Some examples of additives used in food grade lubricants are friction modifiers, antiwear additives, extreme pressure additives, antioxidants and rust inhibitors.

Candan Industries Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Advisor Charmaine Bondeson said the development of INOX H1 products was a direct result of end user requirements that were previously unmet in the market.

“In developing these products, some of the requirements that we had to take into account were that the product should not be staining or contain any dyes,” said Bondeson.

“It must also have been very low in aromatics. ”

But the real point of difference, she explains, is the inclusion of the ingredient PTFE which reduces wear, heat and friction on a machined component, and is completely non-toxic.

INOX MX3 FG was introduced in 2008 as a low odor equivalent of the original MX3. MX3 FG is odorless, tasteless, allergen-free and NZ MPI C15 certified.

“The MX3 can be used in food processing plants, beverage filling lines, meat slaughterhouses, canneries, bakeries, cold stores and on electrical components, parts and equipment,” said Bondeson.

“MX3 FG can be used anywhere a low odor food grade lubricant is required. “

INOX MX5 has similarities in formula to MX3 FG but with PTFE added as an extreme pressure friction modifier. A smooth, anti-corrosion and anti-moisture liquid lubricant, it has been formulated with the high-quality friction modifier PTFE to handle high speeds, high loads, constant friction and high temperatures, according to Bondeson. It is also non-toxic, low odor, and completely food safe.

“MX5 can be used in a variety of situations where previously two or more products were required,” said Bondeson.

“It is suitable for applications that require less friction or are subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, throughout the industrial sector and significantly for food and beverage processing plants. “

MX5 with PTFE is a particularly viable option when a food grade lubricant is required for wet areas where corrosion is a risk, ”she added.

“It does this with a low friction corrosion protection coating, making it hydrophobic – so it’s water repellent. “

MX6 Bearing Grease is a high temperature synthetic formulation composed of an organo-clay thickener and additives that protect against corrosion and metal oxidation.

“The MX6 is recommended for lubrication applications where high temperatures are present or particularly cold temperatures, such as refrigeration applications,” said Bondeson.

“MX6 grease is ideal for bearings and conveyor lines on farms or in plantations. It can also be used in meat and poultry factories, hatcheries, wineries and vineyards, roasters, bakeries and kneaders.

Customer satisfaction with the MX6 would have been high, noted Charmaine: “Our internal report indicated that our customers were very satisfied with the quality of the MX6. “

“By weighing time versus money, we’ve found that customers prefer to invest in quality, reliable products that avoid costly repairs and maintenance, or possible failure of a critical machine part that will cost money. ultimately more expensive in terms of downtime on the production line. “

Overall, it appears that INOX has addressed manufacturers’ concerns and achieved the goal of meeting and exceeding their requirements to prevent accidental food contamination and product recalls.

INOX’s close relationship with BSC has resulted in close collaboration with BSC’s sales and technical representatives. In turn, BSC sales representatives have worked to educate operators and purchasing managers about the regulations and standards for food grade lubricants.