A plus in food safety thanks to Klüber Lubrication

EU demands for greater control and monitoring of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH) in food, and in materials and articles which will or may come into contact with food, have been causing considerable uncertainty among food manufacturers. One of the ways in which mineral oils can enter the food chain is through the manufacturing process or the processing aids. This also includes the lubricants used in the manufacture of food and food packaging. The tribology expert Klüber Lubrication has one of the most comprehensive ranges of NSF H1-registered lubricants and the highest number of ISO 21469-certified production sites in the world. In addition to its high-performance specialty lubricants, Klüber Lubrication has now developed a whole new range of processing aids that have the potential to replace products suspected of causing MOSH/MOAH contamination.

The products of the Klüberfood 4DC series are processing aids which can come into direct contact with food without changing the product properties. They support food manufacturers in four main areas:

• Food-grade quality product: Klüberfood 4DC products consist of 100 % food-grade ingredients of vegetable origin and are also free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and allergens.
• Food safety: Klüberfood 4DC can come safely into contact with food products – unlike NSF H1, which are approved for unintentional, occasional contact with foodstuffs or 3H release agents based for example on white mineral oil.
• Compliance: Klüberfood 4DC products are manufactured in an IFS and BRC-certified company. They comply with European legislation and follow also certification as Halal and Kosher.
• Sustainability: Klüberfood 4DC also supports a company’s sustainability goals by reducing consumption within the process compared to other products.

With products from Klüberfood 4DC, the sustainable packaging leader Transcend has been able to remove all traces of MOSH and MOAH from the production process, delivering an enhanced straw product. By switching to Klüberfood 4DC, Transcend is not only answering demands from the market, but is also making its products compliant for future legislation.

Another application example is the new innovative ball mill from Bühler for the "New Food" segment. Klüber Lubrication was able to supply a solution for the mechanical seals of the sealing specialist EagleBurgmann. The challenge was to find a suitable barrier fluid that could be safely mixed with the manufactured food. This barrier fluid had to be able to be used in products without any quantity restrictions. This is in view of the fact that lubricants with NSF H1 registrations are usually used for such applications, but are subject to restrictions with regard to their usability.

Klüberfood 4DC products are versatile not only in their functions, but also in their areas of application. Klüberfood 4DC can be used in components such as cutting equipment, can forming lines, and many others. The field of application of these versatile products covers many sectors of the food industry.

Currently, the Klüberfood 4DC series comprises eight processing aids for the food industry, which can perform different functions, including the function of a release agent, corrosion protection and anti-rust agent, lubricant in sliding friction points, metal forming fluid, barrier fluid in mechanical seals, and anti-sticking and cleaning agent.

Total Productive Management and minimising the risk of contamination are connected topics in regard to food safety, with professional lubrication management as a crucial part of risk assessment. Total Productive Management can help to achieve the goal of maximum efficiency - not only in regard to production, but also regarding the efficiency of maintenance procedures and the availability of equipment. In addition to its portfolio of highly efficient specialty lubricants, Klüber Lubrication offers a comprehensive range of services focused on the optimisation of the lubrication point.

Klüber Lubrication at Anuga FoodTec in hall 5.1, stand A110. All visitors to the fair are invited to enjoy a crêpe at the Klüber Lubrication stand - prepared with the help of the new Klüberfood 4DC!