1. Lubrication characteristics of food processing machinery:

1) Lubricants must not cause pollution to food: In some food processing machinery, lubricants may come into contact with food or cause food contamination, causing poisoning or other adverse effects of food.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have developed specifications for lubricants for food processing machinery. USDA will use food lubricants as two grades of "H1" or "H2".

H1: Accidental contact lubricant (USDA, H1), which can be used to lubricate or rust the equipment and parts. These lubricated parts may be exposed to food. Can also be used for gaskets or oil pool seals. When used as a rust preventive component, it must be easily removed.

Category H2: Non-contact lubricant (USDA, H2), which can be used for lubrication of equipment and parts, rust-proof film, release agent, etc. These parts are not likely to come into contact with food.

White oil can be used as a baking agent, a release agent for preparing dehydrated fruits and vegetables, and a polishing agent and a release agent for the manufacture of confectionery.

Petroleum grease is used in the same white oil and can also be used as a release agent for solid protein.

Industrial white oil is used for the lubrication and cooling process of aluminum foil containers for drawing, stamping, stamping and rolling packaged foods, as well as lubricants and rust inhibitors for the manufacture of animal feed, fiber bags and food processing machinery. It should be noted that there are established limits for various uses in the regulations. It can also be used in the forming of compressors and plastics for food and beverage packaging.

It can be seen that the use of lubricants should be strictly controlled to avoid contamination of food by lubricants.

2) Lubrication management of food processing machinery: The lubrication management tube of food processing machinery should be paid attention to, and the lubricant that meets the performance requirements of the equipment must be selected. The lubricant must be kept clean. The vats should be placed horizontally and pumped by hand pump for use. The grease needs to be pressed into the grease gun or the greaser by hand pumping. The small oil (box) for the lubricant is limited to the lubricant. Containers for food and beverage, or washers/disinfections are absolutely prohibited for use in lubricants. The mark on the original barrel can be reused if necessary, but there should be obvious signs when changing the container to avoid misuse.

2. Selection of food machinery lubricants

Food machinery generally uses a special lubricant. China has corresponding standards, such as white oil for food machinery (GB12494-90); white oil for food additives (GB4853-84); and food machinery grease (GB15179-94).

Food machinery lubrication mainly uses deep refined white oil, but for lubricating parts with large load or impact load, the lubricating performance can not meet the requirements, and it is necessary to add oily agent or extreme pressure agent, but it must be non-toxic, odorless and tasteless. The oily agent may be an animal or vegetable oil such as whale oil or castor oil. Extreme pressure agents can be approved by FDA/USDA with polyalkyl glycol.

Dairy production equipment is usually made of stainless steel. In order to meet the hygiene requirements, the bearings are sealed for the whole life. Other parts such as drive gears are also made into closed type, which is isolated from the product or water.