Correct use of food-grade oil in food & beverage compressed air

In the food and beverage industry, there are a lot of misconceptions about Food Grade Oil and compressed air. Many believe that such oil is made from edible oils and is also biodegradable. Unfortunately, this is not true and may be putting food safety at risk.

Food Grade Oil is formulated according to US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 Section 178.3570. This regulation gives guidance on ingredients allowed in lubricating oil by providing a specific list of chemical compounds and additives that are generally considered as safe for use with food.

So the only difference between standard compressor oil and Food Grade Oil is that the Food Grade Oil only contains those chemical compounds and additives approved by the US FDA.

To understand the correct use of Food Grade Oil, the US FDA categorises lubricating oil used in food and beverage applications into three distinct lubricant types:

• H1 These lubricants can be used in applications where incidental food contact may potentially occur;
• H2 These lubricants can be used where there is absolutely no possibility of contact with food; and
• H3 These lubricants can only contain edible oils where direct contact with food is likely to occur.

Food Grade Oil falls into the H1 lubricant type and is considered safe to use in food and beverage applications where “incidental food contact may potentially occur”.

Please note that the US FDA does NOT consider Food Grade Oil as safe for direct food contact applications. In direct food contact applications, the US FDA allows only H3 type lubricants. H3 are edible oils and defined by various CFRs including 172.860, 172.878, 182 or 184. H3 lubricants are not practical for use in oil-injected screw compressors. In these applications, the use of Class Zero, oil-free air compressors complies with US FDA guidelines.

There are also a lot of misconceptions about the difference in compressed air applications involving direct food contact and indirect (or incidental) food contact. General agreement is that compressed air that is exhausted into the local environment of food preparation, production, processing, packaging or storage is indirect (or incidental) food contact. Some believe that compressed air that directly contacts with surfaces or containers which then contacts with food or beverage is NOT direct contact. This example should be considered to be direct contact simply because the contact with food is definitely assured whereas indirect food contact uses the term “may potentially” occur. When in doubt, it is best to assume direct food contact.

Direct or Indirect Food Contact? Can you guarantee that the food is not contaminated?

Despite very clear direction from US FDA about the use of lubricants in the Food and Beverage industry, there are many that promote the use of lubricated compressors with or without Food Grade Oil in direct food contact applications. Best practices and guidelines from various associations and industry groups may be helpful to decision makers in the Food and Beverage industry but it is clear that those decision makers are responsible for the outcomes in their facility.

In summary:

• Food Grade Oil used in air compressors is not food
• US FDA stipulate that H1 lubricants (Food Grade Oil) is used only in incidental food contact applications
• Food Grade Oil is NOT to be used in direct food contact applications

Atlas Copco can offer highly effective Food Grade Oil solution to suit our wide range of oil-injected screw compressors, which can be used in indirect or incidental food contact applications within the Food and Beverage sector.

For direct food contact applications (or to be 100% safe for indirect food contact applications) Atlas Copco recommends compressed air with Purity Class 1.3.0 to ISO 8573-1. This air quality class provides the best protection against contamination from particles (including microorganisms), water (to ensure food hygiene safety) and zero risk of any oil contamination. Our range of Class Zero, oil-free air compressors are safe, reliable and 100% risk free as there is no oil in the compressed air, ever.

To find out more, you are welcome to contact our food and beverage compressed air specialists.

Find out how by visiting:https://www.atlascopco.com/en-au/compressors/industry-solutions/food-beverage.