Food Industry

The food Industry is one of the most regulated economic sectors. This sometimes complicates the work and, at the same time, ensures that food safety today is at an extremely high level. Even though ‘scandals’ are occasionally reported in the media, the number of hospital admissions or fatalities due to food poisoning has never been as low as it is today. The basis of food safety is the assurance that the stringent food safety standards are adhered to throughout every step of the chain.

NSF H1-certified lubricants: best practices

The NSF H1 category comprises all lubricants for use in food production, where ‘incidental’ contact with food may occur. Incidental should in this case be seen as ‘unavoidable’ or inherent in the application. All H1-inspected lubricants are free of toxic components and have been tested for possible migration of substances to foodstuffs. It is the task of the user to apply the lubricants in such a manner as to avoid or minimise every contact with food.

Therefore, these Best Practices should be followed:

Targeted use: it is recommended, wherever possible, to apply the lubricants using a brush or by rubbing them on instead of spraying. Use a nozzle attachment to direct the lubricant wherever possible.

Minimise the use of the product: use the minimum amount of lubricant needed to avoid dripping.

Refresh regularly: Lubricants can often become sticky. This means they collect dust and organic residues over time, which could result in mould formation.

It is therefore recommended to remove old lubricants regularly and to apply a fresh lubricant.

Lubricants

Food-safe cleaners

A clean workspace is the key to good food safety. This includes everything from removing minor spills during production, daily cleaning of surfaces to standard periodic maintenance or thorough cleaning after a crisis situation.

Novatio offers food-certified solutions for all types of contamination. Most cleaning agents may be used in and during the food production process. Some solvent cleaners, however, may not come into contact with foodstuffs.

The food legislation states that the surfaces must be rinsed with pure water after every cleaning session. It is important to check the purity of the rinse water regularly in order to avoid the water becoming a new source of contamination.

Cleaners

Adhesives and sealants

Adhesives offer the food industry several advantages over other mechanical fixing methods. For example, it enables the use of completely smooth wall surfaces and work benches, without screws or holes, and therefore mush less chance of contamination.

The Novatio glues and sealants are all EC1935/ LFGB certified for use in spaces where food production takes place, allowing for incidental food contact (*). This certification is much stricter than the NSF P1-class commonly used for adhesives, which does not permit use in food-production environments.