Food-grade lubricants are specifically formulated for food machinery. Given the complex and diverse operating environments in the food processing industry, higher demands are placed on both machinery lubrication and food safety assurance. These demands include resistance to high or low temperatures and high humidity; the ability to withstand impact loads or heavy loads; and the inhibition of microbial and bacterial growth to ensure food safety and hygiene.

To meet the above requirements, food machinery lubricants must possess excellent oxidation stability, high and low-temperature resistance, and demulsibility. For machinery subjected to impact or heavy loads, lubricants must also exhibit superior extreme pressure (EP) properties. For food processing machinery susceptible to bacterial and microbial growth, the lubricant should also have strong anti-microbial properties.

For instance, using lard, peanut oil, or salad oil to lubricate food machinery presents numerous issues. First, their lubricating performance is far inferior to that of specialized lubricants, making it difficult to meet lubrication requirements under impact or heavy loads. Second, these animal and vegetable fats tend to mold and deteriorate in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, producing toxic and harmful substances that contaminate food; at low temperatures, they solidify and fail to provide adequate lubrication.

In summary, the primary distinction between food-grade lubricants and conventional lubricants lies in their composition. Both the base oils and additives must be non-toxic and harmless. Even incidental contact with food will not cause contamination, thereby comprehensively ensuring the safety and hygiene of food production.

Composition of Food Machinery Lubricants

Food machinery lubricants are primarily categorized into lubricating oils and greases. Lubricating oils are formulated with base oils and additives, while greases consist of base oils, thickeners, and additives.

As food machinery lubricants are dedicated to the food industry, the requirements are extremely stringent. They must not only satisfy mechanical lubrication needs but also guarantee that food safety is not compromised.

1. Base Oils

Base oils typically utilize hydrocracked highly refined mineral oils (white oils), which are characterized by relatively pure components, low sulfur and aromatic content, low moisture content, and resistance to oxidation and emulsification. For example, in hydrocracked highly refined mineral oils, chain saturated hydrocarbons account for over 99%, with no aromatic hydrocarbons, and the sulfur content is less than 10 ppm. In contrast, conventional solvent-refined mineral oils contain only 65%–75% chain hydrocarbons, 25%–35% aromatics, and a sulfur content of 13–15,000 ppm.

Another commonly used base oil is Polyalphaolefin (PAO). This is a synthetic base oil with pure and uniform components, free of sulfur and aromatics, and possessing inherent hydrophobic properties and thermal-oxidative stability. The molecules of synthetic base oils can be artificially designed to a specific size and structure with uniform composition, microscopically leaving no space for the combination of oxidants and water.

Overall, the base oils for food machinery lubricants must exhibit excellent oxidation stability, high/low-temperature resistance, and demulsibility. They should have a long service life, reduce equipment wear, extend equipment lifespan, and lower maintenance frequency. Furthermore, they must be free of toxic substances and will not contaminate products.

2. Additives

Additives can significantly enhance specific properties of lubricating oils and greases or impart new characteristics. In high-performance lubricants, particularly many synthetic ultra-high-performance greases, the variety and quantity of additives may actually be less than those in conventional lubricants, or even absent. Conversely, additives commonly found in conventional lubricants, such as antioxidants, extreme pressure (EP) additives, and oiliness agents, often possess a certain degree of toxicity, rendering them unsuitable for food machinery lubrication.

Furthermore, although deeply refined white oil is predominantly used for food machinery lubrication, its lubricating performance is inadequate for heavy or impact loads. Therefore, oiliness agents or EP additives are required. Oiliness agents typically include animal or vegetable oils like whale oil or castor oil, while EP additives may utilize materials approved by the FDA or USDA, such as polyalkylene glycols (PAGs).

3. Thickeners

Greases are often formulated using thickeners such as complex aluminum-based or complex calcium-based compounds combined with base oils. Visually, they are typically white or creamy white, and these thickeners must be non-toxic, odorless, and tasteless. Raw materials must comply with the safe components stipulated in pharmacopoeias or pharmaceutical science, and dedicated equipment is required during production.

Therefore, to enhance the performance of food machinery lubricants, efforts can be directed in two areas: first, utilizing base oils with outstanding performance; second, developing non-toxic additives and thickeners specifically suitable for food machinery lubrication.

With the advancement of technology and the growth of the food processing industry, higher demands will inevitably be placed on food machinery lubrication. This requires future food machinery lubricants to feature higher base oil quality and superior additive performance. Fully synthetic PAO base oils and non-toxic, harmless professional food machinery lubricating additives will represent the future development trend.

2026 October 4 th Week FK Product Recommendation

722500 DA/DB:

The 722500 DA/DB is a type of Plummer Block (bearing housing) designed to support rotating shafts with rolling bearings. It features:

Robust cast iron or steel housing, suitable for heavy-duty applications.

DA/DB variations may refer to different sealing or mounting designs (e.g., DA with set screws, DB with double seals).

Easy installation and maintenance, ideal for industries like conveyors, motors, fans, and mining equipment.

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