Food-grade lubricants play a vital role in the food manufacturing process by minimizing overheating due to friction and wear, ensuring safe and efficient equipment operation. It’s essential to utilize lubricants that are food-safe to avoid potential food contamination and recalls. For example, earlier this year in the US, raw meat products were recalled due to potential contamination with non-food grade mineral seal oil, which should not be used in meat processing.
Categories of Lubricants
To promote food safety and reduce the risk of food contamination, it is crucial to use lubricants that are evaluated for use in food processing applications. The original classification of Lubricants (H1, H2, and H3) was initially defined by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The evaluation criteria for these products continues to be based on the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These lubricants are categorized based on their ingredients and end use. Among them, H1 is the most commonly recognized category and consists of lubricants considered acceptable for incidental food product contact. Products registered under category H1 are often designated as the food-grade lubricant. H1 registered lubricants are generally accepted as food-grade lubricants by EU regulators and food processors.
• H1: Lubricants are for food and beverage processing facilities.
• H2: Lubricants (industrial grade)
• H3: Lubricants (soluble oils)
• HT-1 Heat transfer fluids (incidental food contact allowed)
• HT-2 Heat transfer fluids (no food contact allowed)
• U1 Metalworking fluids (surface lubricants used in the manufacture of metallic articles)
• U2 Metalworking fluids (cutting oils)
NSF’s White Book
In 1999, NSF took over the program previously managed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is now called NSF’s Non-food Compounds Program. In 2001, NSF released the White Book™ —Non-food Compounds Listing Directory, which is available on the NSF website. Manufacturers of non-food compounds seeking to register their products in the White Book must undergo a thorough review and evaluation of their declared formulations, labels, and usage instructions, as well as ensure compliance with the requirements outlined in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 21 Code of Federal Regulations. Once registered, products are allowed to display the NSF registration mark and can be listed in the NSF website. Currently, NSF’s White Book features over 26,000 listed products from more than 60 countries.
In addition to H1-registered products, the White Book now also includes ISO 21469 listings. This expansion will make the White Book a convenient one-stop shop for lubricant manufacturers and other users, as it allows them to check both certifications in the same location.
ISO 21469 Certification
The ISO 21469 standard is globally recognized for establishing hygiene requirements for the formulation, manufacture, and use of lubricants that may come into contact with food products during processing.
ISO 21469 certification, compared to H1 registration, encompasses quality control of product manufacture, on-site validations of formulations, on-site audits to verify packaging and risk assessment accuracy, mandatory product testing, and additional labeling reviews for enhanced traceability. Furthermore, ISO 21469 addresses chemical, manufacturing, and storage/handling risks.

The Asia-Pacific Food Grade Lubricants Market, valued at USD 58 billion in 2023, is expected to reach USD 99.99 billion by 2031, exhibiting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.09% from 2024 to 2031.

Several countries in the Asia-Pacific region are promoting the use of food-grade lubricants in the food processing industry to uphold the safety and quality of food products. In India, there is a heightened awareness of hygiene standards of food-grade lubricants, and that harmful substances must not be introduced into food processing environments.

Companies in the region can gain a competitive edge by obtaining food-grade lubricant product certification or registration from reputable independent organizations like NSF. The certification/registration will serve as a hallmark of the quality and trustworthiness of the company’s products, enhancing their appeal to consumers and partners.

For more information on how NSF can assist your business, please visit www.nsf.org.