A simple step towards food safety
The food industry is large , global , and diverse – yet its production equipment shares common requirements – every machine with moving parts needs to be sufficiently , and regularly lubricated so that gears , conveyor belts , cooling compressors , and other machine components , move smoothly and energy-efficiently , but this requirement is often overlooked !
In busy working environments the question of what needs to be lubricated and with how much oil or grease , and when , is not trivial . Too much , too little , or the wrong lubricant at the wrong time can quickly bring production to a halt , or at least hamper it , which is why it is important to have a clear lubrication concept to ensure better compliance with quality standards and regulations in production , as well as identifying opportunities for cost reductions .
Lubricant manufacturers should offer advice and services that can
32 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk provide important contributions to the organisation and support the establishment of process structures beyond the products themselves . One area where these objectives can be achieved for quality management , audit preparation , and process efficiencies specifically in the Food and Beverage sector is by using ‘ food-grade ’ lubricants .
Food-grade has become the standard term used for lubricants in the food-processing industry , however , this is not correct , because food-grade actually refers to materials that are intended for direct contact with food , such as inner packaging . Contrary to popular belief there are no official government-mandated rules or laws that define low-toxicity ‘ food-grade ’ lubricants . Rather , food-grade lubricants registered as NSF H1 products are only intended for indirect contact , or technically unavoidable food contact .
Lubricant management : For efficient processes and optimised audits
The best lubricant is only as good as the way in which it is used , but the use of oils and greases requires special expertise that is often underestimated . A good lubricant supplier therefore not only sells products to customers , but also offers a holistic lubrication concept based on Total Productive Maintenance ( TPM ) measures , such as professional counselling and services aimed at optimising machine outputs and component lifetime . Such a lubricant concept can ideally be multiplied across different locations , and even internationally .