A Beginner’s Guide to Food-Grade Lubricants and Adhesives
If you are new to food production maintenance, it is easy to focus on the big-ticket items — bearings, motors, and conveyor belts. But the smallest components often do the most to keep your line safe, clean, and compliant.
Welcome to the world of food-grade lubricants and food-safe adhesives. They do not just reduce friction. They keep parts sealed, equipment hygienic, and auditors happy.
In this guide, we break down the essential types, how to use them, and what to check when working on kit in hygiene-critical zones.
Why Certification Matters in Food Production
If it is anywhere near food — even sealed machinery — it needs proper certification.
- NSF H1: Approved for incidental contact
- NSF 3H: Suitable for direct food contact
- FDA / EU 1935/2004: Material safety for food zones
Always check the spec. The wrong lubricant or adhesive is a hygiene fail waiting to happen.
1. Food-Grade Grease (NSF H1)
Used on: Bearings, slides, contact points
This is your go-to for most mechanical assemblies. Choose high-temp, washdown-resistant options.
✅ Resists chemicals and steam
✅ Protects seals and bearing surfaces
✅ Approved for open food zones
2. Synthetic Oils
Used on: Chains, conveyors, light mechanisms
When grease is too heavy, oil steps in. Look for synthetic blends that stand up to moisture, steam, and friction.
✅ Great for high-speed, high-moisture parts
✅ Compatible with plastic and metal
3. Food-Safe Threadlockers
Used on: Fasteners and bolts
Helps stop loosening due to vibration — without contaminating the product.
✅ Medium-strength and removable
✅ Safe once cured
✅ Resists washdown chemicals
4. RTV Silicone Sealants (Food Safe)
Used on: Electrical boxes, gaskets, filler gaps
Flexible, non-toxic, and easy to apply. Make sure it is certified. Looks can be deceiving.
✅ Seals gaps on irregular surfaces
✅ Flexible under vibration
✅ Withstands heat and moisture
5. Anti-Seize Compounds
Used on: High-temp joints, dissimilar metals
These prevent galling and seizing on kit exposed to thermal cycling — chillers, ovens, etc.
✅ Choose metal-free types near food
✅ A little goes a long way
6. Two-Part Epoxies (Food Safe)
Used on: Fast repairs and surface bonding
Ideal for patch repairs and fixing fittings where full part replacement is not practical.
✅ High-strength bonding
✅ Cure time and heat limits apply
✅ Not for structural loads
7. Spray Lubricants and Release Agents
Used on: Gaskets, plastics, moulds
Easy to apply in awkward spots. Aerosol types should be NSF H1 or 3H rated.
✅ Ambersil offers certified options
✅ Ideal for touch-up and re-lube jobs
Spec It Right: Questions to Ask
Before using any lubricant or adhesive, ask:
- Is it food-zone certified (NSF/FDA)?
- Will it survive washdown and steam?
- Is it compatible with stainless, plastic, and seals?
If you do not know — ask. Spec sheets matter.
Learning from the Trade
For apprentices and junior engineers, knowing the difference between a food-safe grease and a standard lube is a big step up. It is also a fast way to earn respect from your team.
Start by looking at what is already in use. Match the spec. Record what works. Build your confidence with every service call.
Want the full story? Read The Complete Guide to Bearings in Food Production
Building Best Practice with Experience
Lubrication and bonding may seem like secondary jobs, but in food production they are part of the frontline. Small mistakes — like using a non-certified threadlocker — can lead to big consequences, including downtime or audit penalties.
That is why documenting what products are used, where, and how they perform over time is so useful.
If you are just starting out, keep a simple notebook or digital log:
- What lubricant or adhesive was used?
- What part or machine was it applied to?
- Any observed results after service?
This not only builds confidence but also gives you something to refer back to when specs or supply options change.
Over time, you will develop your own shortcuts, product preferences, and service instincts — but only if you track what you are doing and why.
Final Tip: Do Not Improvise
Just because a product looks clean, does not mean it is food-safe.
Stick to certified stock. Check the spec. And when in doubt, ask a senior engineer or call the team at Godiva Bearings.
We supply exclusively to the trade — always certified, always ready.
TOM HAMLETT
Tom Hamlett is a respected authority in the global bearings marketplace, with over 35 years of experience in industrial bearings, lubricants, and adhesives across a wide range of industries. As Managing Director of Godiva Bearings, Tom has built a trusted business renowned for its commitment to quality, technical expertise, and ethical service. Under his leadership, Godiva Bearings has remained the UK’s only trade-exclusive bearings supplier, proudly serving engineers and distributors worldwide since 1977. Tom’s in-depth knowledge and dedication have cemented his reputation as one of the most knowledgeable figures in the sector.